Page:Conflict (1927).pdf/306

 gested crossings, might bear his registration plate. Any late night, after Felix and the children were safely in bed she had only to murmur a number into the telephone receiver to hear his voice; or if she resisted the temptation, he had only to murmur a number to hear hers. She used to lie awake often till after midnight, hoping that he would prove less strong than she, and ignoring their resolutions, as a forest-fire a brook, leap over them, and send her to sleep with the music of his brief good-night singing in her ears. During the month in midsummer when he had been in Newfoundland, fishing, she was aware of the soothing effect of inaccessibility; and as the days had piled up softly upon his absence, conscious of a growing strength in her to resist her desire for him.

Oh, what ought she to do? Run grave risks of uprooting Felix and seek safety in flight? Or run graver risks and remain in the danger-zone? 'What would a woman wiser, stronger, better than I do?' Suddenly, miraculously, it seemed to Sheilah, all doubt and uncertainty were swept away. Her course was made clear!