“No….”
Elinor said, and her voice trembled a little:
“Have you said anything to her?”
Roddy said:
“This morning—like a fool—I lost my head—”
Elinor said:
“Yes?”
Roddy said:
“Of course she—she shut me up at once! She was shocked. Because of Aunt Laura and—of you—”
Elinor drew the diamond ring off her finger. She said:
“You’d better take it back, Roddy.”
Taking it, he murmured without looking at her:
“Elinor, you’ve no idea what a beast I feel.”
Elinor said in her calm voice:
“Do you think she’ll marry you?”
He shook his head.
“I’ve no idea. Not—not for a long time. I don’t think she cares for me now; but she might come to care….”
Elinor said:
“I think you’re right. You must give her time. Not see her for a bit, and then—start afresh.”
“Darling Elinor! You’re the best friend anyone ever had.” He took her hand suddenly and kissed it. “You know, Elinor, I do love you—just as much as ever! Sometimes Mary seems just like a dream. I might wake up from it—and find she wasn’t there….”
Elinor said:
“If Mary wasn’t there….”
Roddy said with sudden feeling:
“Sometimes I wish she wasn’t… You and I, Elinor, belong. We do belong, don’t we?”
Slowly she bent her head.
She said:
“Oh, yes—we belong.”
She thought:
“If Mary wasn’t there….”
Five