"I'm not quite sure that you will."
Their eyes met. Claude looked away. Did he really wish Madre to come out into that life? Had she pierced down to a reluctance in him of which till that moment he had scarcely been aware?
"We shall see," she said, more lightly. "Susan Fleet is going out, I know, after Christmas, when Adelaide Shiffney goes off to India."
"Yes, she has promised Charmian to come. And Lake will visit us too."
"Naturally. Will you see him in Paris on your way through?"
"Oh, yes! What an enthusiast he is!"
Claude sighed.
"I shall miss you, Madre," he said, somberly almost. "I am so accustomed to be within reach of you."
"I hope you will miss me a little. But the man who never leans heavily never falls when the small human supports we all use now and then are withdrawn. You love me, I know. But you don't need me."
"Then do you think I never lean heavily?"