"I used to think of it in the night when I felt so awful, and it was like a weight coming down to crush me."
"That was fanciful of you," she said.
But she sent him a strange look of half-frightened suspicion.
He did not see it. He was looking out to the garden. From the Nile rose the voices of the sailors singing their song. He listened to it for a moment.
"What a strange time it's been since we first heard that song together, Ruby," he said.
"Yes."
"When we first heard it, I was so strong, so happy—strong to protect you, happy to have you to protect, and—and it's ended in your having to protect and take care of me."
She moved.
"Yes," she said again, in a dry voice.
"I—I think I'm glad we can't look into the future. One wants a lot of courage in life."