"She's very ill."
"Is she in the hospital?"
"She's at home--there's no room at the hospital."
"What really happened to her? The radiograms didn't help me much."
"Overwork ... no, not that ... she took crazy chances ... on a parachute drop she ... well, it was exposure ... those Maquis ventures ... then she contracted pneumonia."
Orville realized from her jerky phrases that she was disturbed.
"Aunt Therèse ... how's she?"
"Not so well."
"Her telegram said..."
"You're safe ... you're here ... a few days ... we have you for a few days ... you and I." She kissed his hand. "There will be time for you ... to rest. Let's be glad we have each other."