she said, "Thank you. You’re very kind, but we’re not allowed to accept personal gifts."
A shadow crossed his face and his disappointment was apparent. She didn't want to hurt him. He’d never treated her with anything but the greatest respect.
"Commander, I’ll always remember the thought and will cherish the memory of you and Michael for as long as I live." Her head lowered. "Michael has always been a perfect gentleman. I used to think he was born with that exceptional characteristic, but now I know he acquired it from you."
Jeffrey stirred. He realized she was actually paying him a compliment, and it was probably difficult for her. She’d made it clear that he would soon only be a memory to her. He couldn't accept that.
She grew uneasy because he wasn't saying anything, and turned to him. He was staring into space, then started to speak. "You give me too much credit, Sister. Michael is his mother's child."
"I'm sure that's true. It takes both parents to raise a child as remarkable as Michael."
"Connie was a good mother and completely devoted to him."
"She must have been wonderful, otherwise Michael would never have suffered as he did."
"Yes. We both loved her very much, and I'll never forget her, but," he turned to Catherine and his face blazed with emotion, “she’s part of the past now, for Michael and me. There’s still a lifetime ahead of us. This past week has opened my eyes to many things. Michael’s going to get well and that erases the grief and sadness of the past year.
“That’s why I’m so grateful to you. Your coming to Norwood has put hope and meaning into both our lives. I find that it’s a great thrill just to be alive, despite the war, despite everything. My life seems filled with purpose again. You can't imagine how good it feels to come back from such emptiness. I have you to thank, Sister."
He started the motor and they returned to Norwood in silence. She was overwhelmed by his admissions. His honesty and goodness reached an inner chamber of her heart. She was happy that he’d found life worth living again. He was too fine a man to waste away from emotional scars. She would never forget him.
They reached the hospital at the dinner hour, and Philip and EJinore returned to the house. Michael had spent an exhausting day and was fast asleep as soon as dinner was over, but he’d been overjoyed with the puppet. He fell asleep with it still on his hand.
Catherine disappeared from the room for a long while, then came back and began reading, as if Jeffrey weren’t in the room at all. He wanted to talk to her, but she was detached, preoccupied. He'd probably said too much earlier.
She wasn’t in the habit of being in a man's company. He didn't know what to say or do in front of her anymore. Much against his will, he decided to go back to the house. In fact he sensed she wanted him to leave.
"Sister, since Michael is so much better, I think I’ll try to put in a few hours work in London tomorrow. I've been away from everything much too long."
Catherine nodded. Naturally he had work to do. She’d marveled that he’d been able to spend all this time at the hospital. But his words disturbed her.
"I'll be back for dinner. Elinore told me she would come and sit with Michael whenever you wanted to be relieved. You've been so unselfish with your time. I've imposed on you. Thank you again, for everything."
"It's my life taking care of children, a great blessing. You don't need to thank me."
"Then I'll see you tomorrow at dinner."
She inclined her head. Jeffrey didn't want to go, but apparently there was no more to be said.
Catherine read for a while, but the book really didn't interest her. Tomorrow she and Michael would have a whole day together without the company of his father. Wasn't that the way it should be? Life was getting back to normal bit by bit. It was right. She should be relieved.
Soon Michael would go back home. As for her, she would return to the convent. There was
A shadow crossed his face and his disappointment was apparent. She didn't want to hurt him. He’d never treated her with anything but the greatest respect.
"Commander, I’ll always remember the thought and will cherish the memory of you and Michael for as long as I live." Her head lowered. "Michael has always been a perfect gentleman. I used to think he was born with that exceptional characteristic, but now I know he acquired it from you."
Jeffrey stirred. He realized she was actually paying him a compliment, and it was probably difficult for her. She’d made it clear that he would soon only be a memory to her. He couldn't accept that.
She grew uneasy because he wasn't saying anything, and turned to him. He was staring into space, then started to speak. "You give me too much credit, Sister. Michael is his mother's child."
"I'm sure that's true. It takes both parents to raise a child as remarkable as Michael."
"Connie was a good mother and completely devoted to him."
"She must have been wonderful, otherwise Michael would never have suffered as he did."
"Yes. We both loved her very much, and I'll never forget her, but," he turned to Catherine and his face blazed with emotion, “she’s part of the past now, for Michael and me. There’s still a lifetime ahead of us. This past week has opened my eyes to many things. Michael’s going to get well and that erases the grief and sadness of the past year.
“That’s why I’m so grateful to you. Your coming to Norwood has put hope and meaning into both our lives. I find that it’s a great thrill just to be alive, despite the war, despite everything. My life seems filled with purpose again. You can't imagine how good it feels to come back from such emptiness. I have you to thank, Sister."
He started the motor and they returned to Norwood in silence. She was overwhelmed by his admissions. His honesty and goodness reached an inner chamber of her heart. She was happy that he’d found life worth living again. He was too fine a man to waste away from emotional scars. She would never forget him.
They reached the hospital at the dinner hour, and Philip and EJinore returned to the house. Michael had spent an exhausting day and was fast asleep as soon as dinner was over, but he’d been overjoyed with the puppet. He fell asleep with it still on his hand.
Catherine disappeared from the room for a long while, then came back and began reading, as if Jeffrey weren’t in the room at all. He wanted to talk to her, but she was detached, preoccupied. He'd probably said too much earlier.
She wasn’t in the habit of being in a man's company. He didn't know what to say or do in front of her anymore. Much against his will, he decided to go back to the house. In fact he sensed she wanted him to leave.
"Sister, since Michael is so much better, I think I’ll try to put in a few hours work in London tomorrow. I've been away from everything much too long."
Catherine nodded. Naturally he had work to do. She’d marveled that he’d been able to spend all this time at the hospital. But his words disturbed her.
"I'll be back for dinner. Elinore told me she would come and sit with Michael whenever you wanted to be relieved. You've been so unselfish with your time. I've imposed on you. Thank you again, for everything."
"It's my life taking care of children, a great blessing. You don't need to thank me."
"Then I'll see you tomorrow at dinner."
She inclined her head. Jeffrey didn't want to go, but apparently there was no more to be said.
Catherine read for a while, but the book really didn't interest her. Tomorrow she and Michael would have a whole day together without the company of his father. Wasn't that the way it should be? Life was getting back to normal bit by bit. It was right. She should be relieved.
Soon Michael would go back home. As for her, she would return to the convent. There was
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