“There are certain things that a man keeps in his own heart.”
The solemnity of the saying somewhat awed her. “And Hugh never spoke either.”
“Of course not,” said Gerard.
“What an unpayable debt we owe him.”
“We’ll pay it all right when the time comes.”
“What little things women are when compared with men,” said Irene. “We could never have kept a fact like that locked up in our souls.”
Gerard accepted the tribute with his usual reserve. As his wife knew, he was not a man to waste words over sentiment. She uttered what she felt were his thoughts.
“I didn’t understand your not telling me. But now I do. Those things, when unspoken of, knit two men more firmly together.”
She was silent for a moment; then changing her tone and grasping Gerard’s arm:
“We won’t speak of it again, either,” she said. “It is horrible to think of. And what should I have done without you?”