"No."
"Why?"
"You could not understand, dear. Even your mother cannot quite understand. So we won't ever speak of it again, Drina."
The child balanced a bonbon between thumb and forefinger, considering it very gravely.
"I know something that mother does not," she said. And as he betrayed no curiosity:
"Eileen is in love. I heard her say so."
He straightened up sharply, turning to look at her.
"I was sleeping with her. I was still awake, and I heard her say: 'I do love you—I do love you.' She said it very softly, and I cuddled up, supposing she meant me. But she was asleep."
"She certainly meant you," said Selwyn, forcing his stiffened lips into a smile.
The child shook her head, looking down at the ring which she was turning on her finger: