Page:Conflict (1927).pdf/329

 were dead. For if she were in trouble, sick, or unhappy he would know nothing of it, and could not help her.

It was not because of Sheilah's suggestion that Roger first called up Cicely Morgan, and asked if he could run up and see her. It was because Cicely was the nearest he could get to Sheilah. Roger found immediate balm in talking to Cicely. Much of their conversation the first evening he called on her centered about Sheilah. He learned many little details and precious trivialities about her life in Terry. Cicely was very generous to him that night; read him parts of a recent letter from Sheilah; showed him a snapshot of her among her 'fluttering white leghorns'; described the brown house in detail (for she had stopped to see Sheilah once on a motor-trip); smiling kindly, tolerantly, upon him the while, as if she understood his longing, as indeed she did. For had she not longed also?

The truth was Cicely found strange delight in satisfying Roger. At last she possessed something he wanted, something no one else could give him, and something he repeatedly and persistently sought. She was not the fire, only the grate. Not the wine, only the cup. But she was satisfied. She had waited long. To be his confidante was better than nothing.

Roger came nearly every week-end finally, often remaining overnight at her house as her guest. They