Suddenly she looked up, and the youth saw a frightened look in her eyes. “Lanny, I must tell you the truth! You must manage to forgive me!”
“What do you mean, Beauty?”
“Kurt and I are lovers.”
Those were the most startling words that Lanny Budd had heard spoken up to that moment of his life. His jaw fell, and all he could think of to say was: “For God's sake!”
“I know you'll be shocked,” the mother rushed on. “But I've been so lonely, so distraite since Marcel died. I've tried to tell myself that my baby was enough, but it isn't so, Lanny. I'm just not made to live alone.”
“I know, Beauty —”
“And Kurt is in the same state. He's lost his wife and baby, he's lost his war, and his home — the Poles are going to have it, and he says he'll never go back to be ruled by them. Don't you see how it is with us?”
“Yes, dear, of course —”
“And did you think that Kurt and I could be shut up here in three rooms, and not talk about our hearts, or think about consoling each other?”
“No, I must admit — ”