Page:Keeping the Peace.pdf/266

 abroad. They wanted me to have a chance to get over it. That was fair enough, and I was willing to come. Because I knew that I wouldn't get over it—ever."

"Why don't your father and mother approve?" asked Edward.

"I don't think that you'll approve when you know who he is. I don't know that I do."

"You don't?"

"I don't think we'll be happy. I try to look at it from the cold-blooded point of view of an outsider. And when I manage to look at it that way—well, then I don't think that it is a bit wise or sensible. But then you see I'm really an insider, and not a bit cold-blooded . . ." She spoke now with sudden passion: "And I can't give him up. I won't give him up."

Many phrases rose to Edward's lips, but it seemed foolish to utter any of them. Finally he said: "I don't know what to say, Alice. I don't even know who the man is and—well, I wish it was just the very last thing that had ever happened, but you say it isn't, and I don't know what to say."

"The man is your brother James."

Edward's eyes grew round with astonishment. And then the pupils narrowed with pain and resentment. "You're joking."