Helen turned abruptly and looked at him with an expression of frank surprise. “Why do I think so?” she repeated. “What a foolish question!”
“Still, I ask you for an answer,” Uncle Peabody insisted.
“Because he is so far ahead of me in every way,” Helen answered, simply.
“Suppose this is not true?”
“But it is.”
“Why are you so positive?”
“Because it is quite apparent to every one—to Jack, to Cerini, and even to myself.”
Uncle Peabody rose and stood beside her, taking her face between his hands and looking kindly into her eyes.
“You are not so far behind him as you think,” he said, firmly. “Whatever the distance between you may have been when you were first married, the trials I have seen you endure have wrought changes at least as great as those you have noticed in Jack. You are a brave, strong woman, Helen, and your development has been from within outward. I wish I could say as much for him.”
“You are trying to give me courage, you dear old comforter,” Helen replied, unconvinced but with a grateful smile.