“Why?”
“You are unmarried.”
“No, Palla.”
The girl stared at her: “Did you marry Jack?” she gasped.
“Yes. In the hospital.”
“Oh, Ilse!–––”
“He asked me.”
“But––” her mouth quivered and she bent her head and placed her hand on Ilse’s arm for guidance, because the starting tears were blinding her now. And at last she found her voice: “I meant I am so thankful––darling––it’s been a––a nightmare–––”
“It would have been one to me if I had refused him. Except that Jack wished it, I did not care.... But I have lately learned––some things.”