It is the necessary drawback." He rose suddenly and walked to the window.
"The grim old necessary drawback," he said, without looking towards her.
There was a silence of some duration.

Neither of them seemed to be able to find a method of breaking it without awkwardness.

It was she who spoke at last.
"He also said," she observed in a practical way, "that you must not come out to Africa again." He turned as if he had been stung.
"Did he make use of that particular word ?" he asked.
"Which particular word ?" "Must." Jocelyn had not foreseen the possibility that the doctor was merely repeating to her what he had told Jack on a previous visit.
"No," she answered.

"I think he said 'better not.'" "And you make it into 'must.'" She laughed, with a sudden light-heartedness which remained unexplained.
"Because I know you both," she answered.

"For him 'better not' stands for 'must.' With you 'better not' means 'doesn't matter.'" "'Better not' is so weak that if one pits duty against it it collapses.
I cannot leave Oscard in the lurch, especially after his prompt action in coming to my relief." "Yes," she replied guardedly.