" And we
left it at that. Now and then, afterwards, she enquired politely
after Betty's health, and when Willie Connor was killed, she spoke
to me very feelingly and begged me to convey to Betty the
expression of her deep sympathy. In the unhappy circumstances, she
explained, she was naturally precluded from writing.
So Betty's letter was the first direct communication that had
passed between them for nearly two years. That is why to my
meddlesome-minded self it appeared to have some significance.
"You did, did you?" said I. Then I looked at her quickly, with an
idea in my head. "What did Mrs. Boyce say in reply?"
"She has had no time to answer. Didn't I tell you I only posted
the letter to-day?"
"Then you've heard nothing more about Leonard Boyce except that he
has got the V.C.?"
"No. What more is there to hear?"
Even Bettys are sly folk. It behooved me to counter with equal
slyness. I wondered whether she had known all along of Boyce's
mishap, or had been informed of it by his mother. Knowledge might
explain her unwonted outburst. I looked at her fixedly.
"What's the matter?" she asked, bending slightly down to me.
"You haven't heard that he is wounded?"
She straightened herself.
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