CHAPTER XXVI 

GRIZEL ALL ALONE 

It was Tommy who was the favoured of the gods, you remember, not Grizel. 

Elspeth wondered to see her, after the publication of that book, looking much as usual. "You know how he loved you now," she said, perhaps a little reproachfully. 

"Yes," Grizel answered, "I know; I knew before the book came out." 

"You must be sorry for him?" 

Grizel nodded. 

"But proud of him also," Elspeth said. "You have a right to be proud." 

"I am as proud," Grizel replied, "as I have a right to be." 

Something in her voice touched Elspeth, who was so happy that she wanted everyone to be happy. "I want you to know, Grizel," she said warmly, "that I don't blame you for not being able to love him; we can't help those things. Nor need you blame yourself too much, for I have often heard him say that artists must suffer in order to produce beautiful things." 

"But I cannot remember," Elspeth had to admit, with a sigh, to David, "that she made any answer to that, except 'Thank you.'" 

Grizel was nearly as reticent to David himself. Once only did she break down for a moment in his presence. It was when he was telling her that the issue of the book had been stopped. 

"But I see you know already," he said. "Perhaps you even know why--though he has not given any sufficient reason to Elspeth." 

David had given his promise, she reminded him, not to ask her any questions about Tommy. 
what had he told her about for her to break down?
 It was when he was telling her that the issue of the book had been stopped. 