He suddenly thrust her from him, and the lines which had begun to soften on his face as he held her, reappeared in their old harshness and weariness.
"Gone!"
"Yes. I had a letter from him this evening. He couldn't stand Odiam any longer, so he ran away. He's sailed for a place called Palma."
Reuben did not speak. His hands were clenched on the arms of his chair, and for the first time Rose noticed that he looked old. A faint feeling of disgust came over her. She shivered, and took a step backwards as if she would leave him. Then her warm good nature and her gratitude to the man who had made her so happy, drove away the unnatural mood. She came close, and slipped her soft arms round his neck, pressing her lips to his.
He groaned.
"You mustn't fret, Reuben."
"How can I help it?—they're all gone now save one ... my boys...."
"Perhaps there'll be others."
She had slid back to his knee, and the weight and warmth of her comforted him a little. He lifted his head quickly at her words.
"Others?"