'D'you call it life?'

He tried to take her hand. She moved it.

'Norah, you're driving me mad. Do you want to?'

'You know I don't,' she whispered.

'Don't you see? ... In a few days, my foot'll be well, I must go. Must I go alone, without hope, knowing I'll never see you again? I really think I'll kill myself.'

What about Archie?'

'Would he kill himself?' asked Dick quietly. 'Would he ... notice even?'

She did not answer.

'Be fair to him; but be fair to yourself; be generous to me.'

She was silent, listening to the message of the drums.