THE PROMISE After all, it was Crowther who broke that tragic silence; perhaps because he could bear it no longer.

The path on which they stood was deserted.

He laid a very steady hand upon Piers' shoulder with a compassionate glance at the stony young face which a few minutes before had been so full of abounding life.
"It comes hard to you, eh, lad ?" he said.
Piers stirred, almost made as if he would toss the friendly hand away; but in the end he suffered it, though he would not meet Crowther's eyes.
"You owe it to her," urged Crowther gently.

"Tell her, lad! She's bound to be up against it sooner or later if you don't." "Yes," Piers said.

"I know." He spoke heavily; all the youth seemed to have gone out of him.