It explained all perplexities save one.

What did "32 divided by 1" mean?
Was there yet another fearsome riddle awaiting solution?
And then his thoughts flew to Iris.

Happen what might, her bright picture was seldom absent from his brain.

Suppose, egg-hunting, she had stumbled across this Valley of Death! How could he hope to keep it hidden from her?
Was not the ghastly knowledge better than the horror of a chance ramble through the wood and the shock of discovery, nay, indeed, the risk of a catastrophe?
He was a man who relieved his surcharged feelings with strong language--a habit of recent acquisition.

He indulged in it now and felt better.