The rain had diminished a little. Above its insistence sounded a deeper, more formidable beat and thrill.
“We must be quite close to it,” she said.
“A few rods, probably. Let me have the light. I want to explore before we start out.”
Much sooner than she had expected, he was back. He groped for and took her hand. His own was steady, but his voice shook as he said:
“Io.”
“It’s the first time you’ve called me that. Well, Ban?”
“Can you stand it to—to have me tell you something?”
“Yes.”
“We’re not on the shore.”
“Where, then? An island?”