Chapter 79

He was on the edge of what he described as “Getting off,” when he heard the closing of a door, and the sound of two voices, his grandfather’s and a woman’s. They were in the room below. The sitting-room window was open, and Lance could hear what the two voices said. “I feel—that—it can’t go on much longer.” “Poor child.” “I must talk. Sometimes one must talk.” “I’ll shut the window, my dear. My grandson’s working upstairs. Don’t want to disturb him.” The window was closed, and the murmur of the two voices continued…