'I feel quite established here,' she said gaily, something in his

position having reminded her of their departure.

He laughed.

'It seems another eternity before the three-forty-five train, doesn't

it?' she insisted.

'I wish we might never go back,' he said.

Helena sighed.

'It would be too much for life to give. We have had something,

Siegmund,' she said.

He bowed his head, and did not answer.

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'It has been something, dear,' she repeated.

He rose and took her in his arms.

'Everything,' he said, his face muffled in the shoulder of her dress. He

could smell her fresh and fine from the sea. 'Everything!' he said.

She pressed her two hands on his head.

'I did well, didn't I, Siegmund?' she asked. Helena felt the

responsibility of this holiday. She had proposed it; when he had

withdrawn, she had insisted, refusing to allow him to take back his

word, declaring that she should pay the cost. He permitted her at last.

'Wonderfully well, Helena,' he replied.

She kissed his forehead.

'You are everything,' he said.

She pressed his head on her bosom.