"How do you know?"

Her cheeks were blazing. Miss Emily interposed. "Don't tease her,
she's too tired."

"If he is teasing, I don't care," Jean said, "but it always sounds as
if he meant it."

After dinner, the Doctor laid his hand on his daughter's shoulder. "I
want to talk to you, daughter."

"Is it about Derry, Daddy?"

"About myself."

Emily, understanding, left them alone. Jean sat in her low chair in
front of the fire, her earnest eyes on her father. "Well, Daddy."

He patted her hand. It was hard for him to speak.

She saw his emotion. "Is--is it because I am going to marry Derry?"

"That, and more than that. Jean, dear, I must go to France--"

"To France?"

"Yes. They want me to head a hospital. I don't see how I can refuse,
and keep my self-respect. But it means--leaving you."