"Yes,—we have always been close."
"But she cares for what you think—"
Vickers made a gesture, as if it were impossible that any one could do that.
"Yes," Alice continued gently; "a woman never gets wholly away from the influence of one she has admired as Isabelle admired you."
"But one's experience," he mused, "no matter how costly it has been, never seems to be of any use to any one else."
"Can you tell—until the end? … What we don't see in life is so much more than what we see!"
Vickers looked at her gratefully. He would like to feel that he was needed somewhere in this hurried world. Presently there was a childish uproar behind them, and Alice turned back.
"My brood is getting tempestuous; I must say good-by!"
She held Vickers's hand in her warm, firm grasp.
"I hope we shall see you often…. I think that you are called here!"