"I am very proud to be your friend, Theo. But there are times when the truest friendship is just to stand on one side and ask no questions. That is what I want you to do now. Please believe that if you could help me, even a little, I would not shut you out." "I believe you--and I'll not say another word. You will go and lie down, perhaps, till tiffin time?" "No. I think I will go to Ladybird. She badly needs comforting. You broke your news to us rather abruptly, you know. We are not hardened yet, like Frank, to the boot-and-saddle life here." "I'm sorry. It was thoughtless of me. We are all so used to it. One's apt to forget----" He rose and took a few steps away from her; then, returning, stood squarely before her. She had risen also, partly to prove her own strength, and partly to put an end to the strain of being alone with him. "Honor," he asked, "was I hard with Ladybird? And am I an unpardonable brute if I insist on holding out against her?" "Indeed, no! You mustn't dream of doing anything else." She looked full at him now, forgetful of herself in concern for him. "I was half afraid--once, that you were going to give way." "Poor Ladybird! She little guessed how near I came to it. And maybe that's as well, after all." "Yes, Theo. It would be fatal to begin that way. I quite see how hard it is for her. But she must learn to understand. When it comes to active service, we women must be put altogether on one side. If we can't help, we are at least bound not to hinder." Desmond watched her while she spoke with undisguised admiration. "Would you say that with the same assurance, I wonder, if it were John? Or if it happened to be--your own husband?" A rush of colour flooded her face, but she had strength enough not to turn it aside. "Of course I would." "Then I sincerely hope you will marry one of us, Honor. Wives of that quality are too rare to be wasted on civilians!" This time she bent her head. "I should never dream of marrying any one--but a soldier," she answered very low. "Now I must go back to my poor Evelyn and help her to see things more from your point of view." "How endlessly good to us you are," he said with sudden fervour. "I know I can count on you to keep her up to the mark, and not let her make herself too miserable while we are away." "Yes--yes. I am only so thankful to be here with her--this first time." He stood aside to let her pass; and she went out quickly, holding her head higher than usual. He followed at a little distance, still perplexed and thoughtful, but refraining from the least attempt to account for her very unusual behaviour. What she did not choose to tell him he would not seek to know. On the threshold of the drawing-room he paused.