Tea was over and they were on their feet when she f dt
her own need demanding consideration. It was not

375



THE SIDE OF THE ANGELS

without nervousness that she said, *' You know Thor has
been staying here with Cousin Amy and Unde Sim.''

"So we understood."

" Wdl, I think he might like to stay a little longer.'*

"That's not necessary on our account," Masterman
said, promptly.
"It wouldn't be on your account, but on his own.
That is," she explained, "he might think it was on your
account^ but in reality to fed that he was comforting
you would be a comfort to him."

Claude's mother gave way to the first little sob since
entering the house, while the father's face settled to
the stoniness that masked his suffering. "Wouldn't it
look very queer?" was all he said. "People might not
understand it."

"Oh, they haven't understood it as it is; but does that
matter? I know there's been talk in the village during
the past few weeks, but surdy we're in a position to
ignore it." In the hope of opening up the way for Thor
in what he had to make dear, she dedded to go further.
