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[Frightened—placatingly puts her arms around him]

I didn’t mean anything, dear. I simply thought you meant—

[Still indignant]

All I meant was that she must have fallen in love with Darrell long after she was married—and then she sent him away for Dad’s sake—and mine, too, I suppose. He kept coming back every couple of years. He didn’t have guts enough to stay away for good! Oh, I suppose I’m unfair. I suppose it was damned hard on him. He fought it down, too, on account of his friendship for Dad.

[Then with a bitter laugh]

I suppose they’ll be getting married now! And I’ll have to wish them good luck. Dad would want me to. He was game.

[With a bitter gloomy air]

Life is damn queer, that’s all I’ve got to say!

[Thinking with a sort of tender, loving scorn for his boyish naïveté]

How little he knows her! Mr. Evans was a fine man but Darrell must have been fascinating once  if she loved anyone she isn’t the kind who would hesitate  any more than I have with Gordon  oh, I’ll never be unfaithful to Gordon  I’ll love him always!

[She runs her fingers through his hair caressingly—comfortingly]