to me
when we were by the little island. It was then, I think, that I felt it
was my fate to link myself with Claude, to help him on. Do you remember
what you said?"

"That perhaps it was designed that you should teach Mr. Heath."

"Don't say mister--on such a day as this!"

"Claude, then."

"And, Susan, I don't want to seem vain, but I have taught him, I have
taught him to know and rely on himself, to believe in himself, in his
genius, to dominate. He's marvellously changed. Everyone notices it. You
do, of course!"

"There is a change. And I remember saying that perhaps it was designed
that you should learn from him. Do you recollect that?"

Charmian was handing Susan her tea-cup.

"Oh--yes," she said.

She looked at Susan as the latter took the cup with a calm and steady
hand.

"What excellent tea!" observed Susan.

"Is it? Susan!"

"Well?"

"I believe you are very reserved."

"No, I don't think so."

"Yes, you keep half your thoughts about things and people entirely to
yourself."

"I think most of us do that."

"About me, for instance! I've been talking a great deal to you in here.
And you've been listening, and thinking."

There was an uneasy sound in Charmian's voice.

"Yes. Didn't you wish me to listen?"

"I suppose I did. But you've been thinking. What have you been
thinking?"

"That it's a long journey up the ray," said Susan, with a sort of gentle
firmness.

"Ah--the ray! I remember your saying that to me long ago."

"We've got a great deal to learn, I think, as well as to teach."

Charmian was silent for a minute.

"Do you mean that you think I only care to teach, that I--that I am not
much of a pupil?" she said at length.

"Perhaps that is putting it too strongly. But I believe your husband had
a great deal to give."

"Claude! Do you? But yes, of course--Susan!" Charmian's voice changed,
became almost sharply interrogative. "Do you mean that Claude could
teach me more than I could ever teach him?"

"It is impossible for me to be sure of that."

"Perhaps. But, tell me, do you think it is so?"

"I am inclined to."

Charmian felt as if she flushed. She was conscious of a stir of
something that was like anger within her. It hurt her very much to think
that perhaps Susan put Claude higher than her. But she controlled the
expression of what she felt, and only said, perhaps a little coldly:

"It ought to be so. He is so much cleverer than I am."

"I don't think I mean th