resistance and drowned words.

The milk came in, and Peter gave Thomas to drink; and on the heels of the
milk came the post, and a letter for Peter.

"I suppose," said Peter dully, as he opened it, "she too has found out
that it can't be done."

The letter said: "Peter, we can't do it. I am horribly, horribly sorry,
but I know it now for certain. Perhaps you know it too, by now. Because
the reason is in you, not in me. It is that you love Denis too much. So
you couldn't be happy. I want you to be happy, more than I want anything
in the world, but it can't be this way. Please, dear Peter, be happy
sometime; please, please be happy. I love you always--if that helps at
all.--Lucy."

Peter let the note fall on the floor, and stood with bent head by the
side of Thomas's crib, while Thomas guggled his milk.

"Two minds with but a single thought," he remarked, in that new, dreary
voice of his. "As always.... Well, it saves trouble. And we're utterly
safe now, you see; doubly safe. You can go home in peace."

Then Rodney, knowing that he could be no more use, left the three
derelicts together.




CHAPTER XXI