"I shall feel more free alone," I replied at last, "for I shall have
only myself to guard. I am used to taking care of myself. Besides,
this is likely to prove a rather unpleasant situation for a lady. You
must remember I propose to fight this thing out now in the open. I am
going to be Gordon Craig, and not a make-believe Philip Henley. The
scene has changed, and I 'm glad of it. I feel more like a man
already."

"And you conclude I can be of no help, no assistance--"

The cracked voice of Sallie came to us up the stairs, the unexpected
sound startling both.

"I reckon you all better com' down an' eat."

She stood in the light of the front door watching us, and we descended
the flight of steps without exchanging a word. The woman turned and
walked in advance into the dining-room.

"Where is Coombs?" I asked, looking about curiously.

"He done eat already, but I reckon he 'll be 'round 'gain after a
while. You all just help yerselves."

We endeavored to talk as we sampled the meal, directing our
conversation into safe channels, both obsessed with a feeling that
whatever we said would be overheard. The woman vanished into the dark
passage leading toward the kitchen, but no sound of labor reached us
from that direction, which made me suspicious that she lingered not far