As she headed for the staff tent, she saw Sara with Pandit. Sara stared anxiously at the door through which Con's father had departed, silent tears streaming down her face. It was impossible to remain angry with her. Con had never seen anyone so forlorn.
'Sara, please come with us.'
Sara turned and noticed Con for the first time. 'What would John think? Coming here to find me gone?'
'He can't come back,' said Con. 'Didn't Joe explain?'
'What does Joe know about love? About devotion?'
'This isn't about devotion, Sara.'
'You don't understand. John needs to find me waiting for him. I won't let him down.' Con ached with pity for Sara. /
'Pandit...'
'I will be staying with Miss Boyton.'
'But...'
'I, too, understand something of devotion. She will not be alone, come what may.' Con had to stifle sobs to say, 'Good-bye, Sara. When you see Daddy, tell him I love him.'
'I will, Constance.'
'Good-bye, Pandit. Take care of Sara.'
'Good-bye, Miss Greighton.'
Con spotted James sitting in the dining pavilion, sipping coffee. She ran to him, and as she approached, he said, 'Lovely morning, reminds me of the Serengeti.'
'Don't tell me you're waiting to be rescued, too,' said Con.
'Me?' said James. 'No, I'm rather like Pandit. There are things I won't leave behind.'
'What are you talking about?'
'This morning,' replied James. 'Rick says it will be the last of its kind for a very long time.'
'Knowing what will happen, how can you stay here?'
'Knowing what will happen, why do you want to live in a ruined world?' replied James. 'Can you really conceive of what you're fleeing to?'
James's question hit a nerve. When he saw Con's dis-tressed reaction, he immediately regretted asking it.
'I'm just too old to start over again,' he said gently.
'I won't leave Rick,' said Con.
'You shouldn't,' James said. 'He's a good man. You two take care of each other.'
'We will.'
'Then you'd better run along.'
'Are you sure you won't come?'
'And miss this morning? Not for the world.'
