It seemed to her that her future way of life was in his hands.

If Martin came back soon and caught her in her present mood she would play the game according to the rules.

If he stayed away or, coming back, persisted in considering her as a kid and treating her as such, away would go seriousness, life being short, and youth but a small part of it, and back she would go to the Merry-go-round, and once more, at twice the pace, with twice the carelessness, the joy-ride would continue.

It was all up to Martin, little as he knew it.
And where was Martin?
There was no letter, no message, no sign as day followed day.

Without allowing herself to send out an S.O.S.to him, which she well knew that she had the power to do, she waited, as one waits at crossroads, to go either one way or the other.