“I suppose that is true,” Lady Caversham agreed.
“Of course it’s true,” Thalia said. “You have to believe in Papa and trust him. He is alive and, if he comes home seeing you look as pale as you are now, he will be furious with me and will never believe that I have done my best to look after you.”
“Oh, my dearest, you have done everything anyone could do and a great deal more besides,” Lady Caversham said. “It is just that I pray that I shall hear from him, but somehow my prayers do not seem to be heard. If only I could have a letter.”
“You don’t want a letter,” Thalia said firmly, “you want Papa! One day he will walk in when you least expect it.”
“Suppose he cannot find us?”
“Now, Mama, we have talked about this over and over again. Everyone in the country will be ready to tell him. M
