It made him feel that in accusing Adair she had cast suspicion on every
man's constancy--his own included. Reluctantly he set himself to prove
to her that she was incorrect.

"When you were in France with Lady Dawn's Nursing Unit, I spent most of
my leaves with Phyllis and Adair. We went about together. I lived in
their house, got to love their kiddies, knew all that went on there. I
think a part of my motive was that being with your sister seemed to
bring you nearer. I'm not going to pretend that I didn't notice
frictions and irritations. Adair was humiliated at being rejected by the
Army because he wasn't up to physical standards. He tried every trick,
but was always turned down. He didn't like to be seen about town; he
felt that people were accusing him of being a slacker. He looked so well
that he had always to be explaining why he wasn't in the trenches. It
tried his temper. Wherever he went soldiers were being treated as
heroes. Women were pleased to be seen escorted by a uniform--his own
wife as well. And I'm bound to say Phyllis didn't help him. She prided
herself on having held on to her man as though it were something that
she'd done herself. Adair used to flare up in a passion and tell her not
to be a fool; then, because her foolishness was all because she loved
him, her feelings were hurt. But to say that he doesn't love her is an
exaggeration. If there's anything the matter, the trouble is not with
his heart but with his nerves."

"Then you really haven't heard? I thought everybody----" She stifled a
yawn. "It's the wind against my face. It always makes me sleepy," she
apologized. "Since you haven't heard, I suppose I oughtn't to tell you.
He's become the sort of skeleton in our family cupboard---- You're still
incredulous! That will please mother. She'll be almost happy when she
learns that there's at least one person who hasn't been told about it.
She thinks that all the world talks of nothing else. As for Daddy,
Phyllis was always his favorite and he adores her children. He goes
about trying to find some one who'll volunteer to horsewhip Adair. I
can't say that I feel that way myself." Her hand stole out and touched
his arm caressingly; it seemed as though she were appealing for herself.
"We've all either done or are on the verge of doing something foolish
that we're sure to regret. It's not a time to be hard on anybody.
To-morrow we may stand in need of sympathy ourselves. Horror has
shell-shocked eve