Do you in your heart believe he will ever come back ?" Mrs.Raleigh did not answer.
Audrey went on, still holding her tightly: "Do you think I don't know why he wrote to you?
It was to put me in your care, because--because he knew he was never coming back.

And shall I--shall I tell you why he went ?" "Darling, hush--hush!" pleaded Mrs.Raleigh, her voice unsteady with emotion.

"There, don't say any more! Put your head on my shoulder, love.
Let me hold you so." But Audrey's convulsive hold did not relax.

She had been a child all her life up to that moment, but, like a worn-out garment, her childhood had slipped from her, and she had emerged a woman.

The old, happy ignorance was gone for ever, and the revelation that had dispelled it was almost more than she could bear.