Her husband looked up over his little table. 'Is Alice going with
you?'

'Oh yes; poor child, she looks so pale and miserable. We are
going to Mrs Sherwin's, and then on to Church. You will lock your
door?'

'Yes, I will lock my door.'

'And I do hope Arthur--nothing rash!'

A change, that seemed almost the effect of actual shadow, came
over his face. 'I wish you could stay with me,' he said slowly.
'I don't think you have any idea what--what I go through.'

It was as if a child had asked on the verge of terror for a
candle in the dark. But an hour's terror is better than a
lifetime of timidity. Sheila sighed.

'I think,' she said, 'I too might say that. But there; giving way
will do nothing for either of us. I shall be gone only for an
hour, or two at the most. And I told Mr Bethany I should have to
come out before the sermon: it's only Mr Craik.'

'But why Mrs Sherwin? She'd worm a secret out of one's grave.'

'It's useless to discuss that, Arthur; you have always
consistently disliked my friends. It's scarcely likely that you
would find any improvement in them now.'