I shall have to help with the supper later on . '' They went slowly across the lawn and turned into a dim , moonlight lane beyond , their old favourite ramble . Selwyn felt like a man in a dream , a pleasant dream from which he dreads to awaken . The voices and laughter echoing out from the house died away behind them and the great silence of the night fell about them as they came to the old gate , beyond which was a range of shining , moonlight-misted fields . For a little while neither of them spoke . The woman looked out across the white spaces and the man watched the glimmering curve of her neck and the soft darkness of her rich hair . How virginal , how sacred , she looked ! The thought of Tom St. Clair was a sacrilege . `` It 's nice to see you again , Selwyn , '' said Esme frankly at last . `` There are so few of our old set left , and so many of the babies grown up . Sometimes I do n't know my own world , it has changed so . It 's an uncomfortable feeling . You give me a pleasant sensation of really belonging here . I 'd be lonesome tonight if I dared . I 'm going to miss Alice so much . There will be only Mother and Baby and I left now . Our family circle has dwindled woefully . '' `` Mother and Baby and you ! '' Selwyn felt his head whirling again . `` Why , where is Tom ? ''
He felt that it was an idiotic question , but it slipped XXXXX his tongue before he could catch it .
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