She gave him the doctor's telegram. He read it slowly aloud.
"Artois!" he said. "Poor fellow! And out there in Africa all alone!"
He stopped speaking, looked at her, then leaned forward, put his arm round her shoulder, and kissed her gently.
"I'm awfully sorry for you, Hermione," he said. "Awfully sorry, I know how you must be feeling. When did it come?"
"Some hours ago."
"And I've been sleeping! I feel a brute."
He kissed her again.
"Why didn't you wake me?"
"Just to share a grief? That would have been horrid of me, Maurice!"
He looked again at the telegram.