It would be kinder to Nutty in the end. She had the
feminine aversion from the lie deliberate. Her ethics on the
_suggestio falsi_ were weak. She looked at Nutty questioningly.
'See it?' she said.
'Don't you see a monkey on the top of the wardrobe?' said Nutty,
becoming more definite.
'There's a sort of bit of wood sticking out--'
Nutty sighed.
'No, not that. You didn't see it. I don't think you would.'
He spoke so dejectedly that for a moment Elizabeth weakened, but
only for an instant.
'Tell me all about this, Nutty,' she said.
Nutty was beyond the desire for evasion and concealment. His one
wish was to tell. He told all.
'But, Nutty, how silly of you!'
'Yes.'
'After what the doctor said.'
'I know.'
'You remember his telling you--'
'I know. Never again!'
'What do you mean?'
'I quit. I'm going to give it up.'
Elizabeth embraced him maternally.
'That's a good child!' she said. 'You really promise?'
'I don't have to promise, I'm just going to do it.'
Elizabeth compromised with her conscience by becoming soothing.
'You know, this isn't so very serious, Nutty, darling. I mean,
it's just a warning.'
'It's warned me all right.'
'You will be perfectly all right if--'
Nutty interrupted her.
'You're sure you can't see anything?'
'See what?'
Nutty's voice became almost apologetic.
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