“She is very young,” he remarked.
It was on the tip of Palla’s tongue to say something; and she remained silent––lest this man misinterpret her motive––and, perhaps, lest her own conscience misinterpret it, too.
Ilse said it to Estridge, however, frankly insouciant:
“You know Marya and Vanya are married––that is, they live together.”
And Shotwell heard her.
“Is that true?” he said in a low voice to Palla.
“Why, yes.”
He remained silent so long that she added: “The tie is not looser than the old-fashioned one. More rigid, perhaps, because they are on their honour.”
“And if they tire of each other?”