12They stayed on at the Bear, since, contrary to Bill’s fears, the people were not unbearably sympathetic and, indeed, did not seem in the least interested in how long they had been married, which may have been either preoccupation or the height of tact. They walked, made excursions in the car, kept Christmas together, made friends with people, and were absurdly happy considering it was war-time and Bill had ten days’ leave—a fragile happiness like fine glass which might break at any moment and cut to the bone the hands which held it.
The days went on to Thursday, the 28th, and Bill did not say a word about returning, till in the evening Diane, very white about the nostrils but with chin well up, said: “Is this our last day, darling?”
“What?” asked Bill from the depths of an armchair.
D
