ock opposite told her the time was a quarter to one; in an
hour and three-quarters Dick would be gone.

They had lunch in a little private room at a restaurant close to
Victoria Station. Joan tried to eat, and tried to laugh and talk with
the others, because Mabel had whispered to her on the way in: "You've
got to help Dick through the next hour, it isn't going to be easy for
him." And that had made Joan look at him with new eyes, and she could
see that his face was very white, and that he seemed almost afraid to
look at her.

After lunch Mabel and Colonel Rutherford went on ahead and left the two
young people to say their good-bye alone. When they had gone Dick pushed
the things in front of him on the table aside, and laid his head down on
his hands. "My God!" she heard him say, "I wish I had not got to go."

He had been so pleased before, so excited over his different
preparations, so wildly keen to be really on the move at last. Joan ran
to him quickly; kneeling on the floor by his side, throwing her arms
around him. Her own fears were forgotten in her desire to make him brave
again.

"It won't be for long, Dick," she whispered. "I know something right
inside my heart tells me that you will come back. It is only like
putting aside our happiness for a little. Dear, you would be wretched if
you could not go. Just having me would not make up to you for that."

He turned and caught her to him quickly. "If I had had you," he said
harshly, "it would be different. It would make going so much easier."

"You will come back," she answered softly. Her eyes held his, their
hearts beat close and fast against each other.

"It seems," he said a minute or two later, "that it is you who are
helping me not to make a fuss, and not the other way about as we
arranged." He stood up, slowly lifting her with him. "It is time we were
off, Joan," he said. "And upon my soul, I need some courage, little
girl. What can you do for me?"

"Well, if I cry," suggested Joan, her head a little on one side--she
must be cheerful, she realized; it was funny, but in this she could be
stronger than he, and she must be for his sake--"I am sure you would get
so annoyed that the rest would be forgotten."

"If I see you cry," he threatened, "I shall get out even after the train
has started, and that will mean all sorts of slurs on my reputation."

They walked across to Victoria Station and came in at once to a scene of
indescribable noise and confusi