“Yes.... I saw––Marya––to-day.”
“Is that unusual?” he asked indifferently.
“Yes. I haven’t seen her since––since she and Vanya separated.”
“Oh! Have they separated?” he asked with such unfeigned surprise that the girl’s heart leaped wildly.
“Didn’t you know it? Didn’t Marya tell you?” she asked shivering with happiness.
“I haven’t seen her since I saw you,” he replied.
Palla’s right hand flew to her breast and rested there while she strove to control her voice. Then:
“Please, Jim, let us forgive and break bread again together. I––” she drew a deep, unsteady breath––“I can’t tell you how our separation has made me feel. I don’t quite know what it’s done to me, either. Perhaps I can understand if I see you––if I could only see you again–––”
There ensued a silence so protracted that a shaft of fear struck through her. Then his voice, pleasantly collected:
“I’ll be around in a few minutes.”