I hesitated. In spite of post-war philosophy, courage seems to me admirable and rare enough. But to win, she must face issues.
I hinted my doubts.
'I know,' she said, 'I know all that.'
When I came back from escorting her as far as the road, Archie was awake.
He smiled weakly and tried to greet me, but his voice was inaudible. He was glad to obey me and lie quiet, though his eyes wandered in search of Norah.
'She's sleeping,' I lied, wishing to keep Abercorn and what it held out of his thoughts.
CHAPTER IV
Archie's convalescence was rapid; within a week he was well enough to receive a visitor. During the days of his recovery I had come to know him better than ever before. The strangeness or remoteness I had sensed in him at Abercorn had gone. He was gentle and grateful for little things. I found him very human, and, since humanity is tragic, rather touching. He seemed to have won the sad tranquillity of old people on fine days. One could not grudge him a peace he had bought, he believed, at the price of his life or freedom.
He sat wrapped up, savouring the warmth of the sun, watching the natives at their trivial and absorbing occupations, inhaling as it were the beauty and activity of the world. And counting, I could not help imagining, the hours that remained for its enjoyment. Partly to escape such disquieting thoughts, partly to make Archie dependent on Norah and to draw him to her, I spent most of the day in my own camp.