"She was only seven when I saw her last."
"That was long ago, you say?"
"Seventeen years ago."
"Then she will be the same age as...."
"The first time I saw her she was only three, and she was in her nightdress ready for bed."
Roma laughed a little, but she knew that every note in her voice was confused and false.
"She said her prayers with a little lisp at that time. 'Our Fader oo art in heben, alud be dy name.'"
He laughed a little now, as he mimicked the baby voice. They laughed together, then they looked at each other, and then with serious eyes they turned away.
"You'll think it strange, but I date my first conscious and definite aspiration to the memory of that hour."
"Really?"