Hilda came and stood before Joan with her hands behind her.
"I am going to bed now," she said.

"I wanted to see you from what Papa told me.

May I kiss you ?" It was spoken so gravely that Joan did not ask her, as in lighter mood she might have done, what it was that Phillips had said.

She raised her face quietly, and the child bent forward and kissed her, and went out without looking back at either of them, leaving Joan more serious than there seemed any reason for.

Phillips filled his pipe and lighted it.
"I wish I had your pen," he said, suddenly breaking the silence.