"Do you think you can get some more sleep, Seraph? I want to get you well as soon as possible, and then I must take you abroad. London in August isn't good for little boys."
"Where shall we go?"
"I must join Toby and Joyce at Rimini."
The Seraph sighed and closed his eyes.
"I can't go there yet. They'll be—frightfully happy—wrapped up in each other—all that sort of thing. I don't want to see them yet."
Elsie dropped no hint of the time that must elapse before Joyce was strong again or "frightfully happy."
"Where shall it be then?" she asked.
The Seraph pressed her fingers to his lips.
"You go there, Elsie. I must travel alone. I shall go to the East. I shan't come back for some time. If ever."
The effort of talking and the trend of the conversation had made him restless. Elsie smoothed his pillow, and rose to leave the room.