We were seated. He said with a nod, "Yes. A reason—you'll hear it now—tonight—"
His voice trailed away. It made my heart beat faster. He had changed. I saw him suddenly older.
"Where's Bee?" I asked out of the silence.
He jerked himself back from his reverie. "Upstairs. She'll be down in a moment. She's been ill, Rob."
"But you said not seriously."
"No. She's better now. It's been largely mental—she's been frightened, Rob. A terrible strain—that's why I thought it better for us to isolate ourselves for a while—"
"Oh, then that's why—"
"That's why I wrote you so peremptorily not to come to see us any more. I was upset myself, I needn't have been so crude—"
"Please don't apologize, Will. I—I didn't understand, but—"
"I'm not. I'm just telling you. But now Bee thought we should have you with us. Our best friend, you understand? And it will make things easier for her—naturally she's frightened—"