Write to me often, sweetheart. Your letters and my thoughts of
you are the one joy of my life.

Always your lover,
DICK.

There were a few moments of significant silence. The girls were
leaning together, their arms around one another's necks, their heads
almost touching. Behind them, their visitor continued to eat and
drink. He rose at last, however, reluctantly to his feet, and
coughed. They started, suddenly remembering his presence. Philippa
turned impulsively towards him with outstretched hands.

"I can't tell you how thankful we are to you," she declared.

"Both of us," Helen echoed.

He touched with his fingers a box of cigarettes which stood upon the
tea-table.

"You permit?" he asked.

"Of course," Philippa assented eagerly. "You will find some matches
on the tray there. Do please help yourself. I am afraid that I
must have seemed very discourteous, but this has all been so amazing.
Won't you have some fresh tea and some toast, or wouldn't you like
some more sandwiches?"

"Nothing more at present, thank you," he replied. "If you do not
mind, I would rather continue our conversation."