Alpha Book

"
"Perhaps. . . . But will you?"
He gaily evaded an answer, and after a while he fancied she had
forgotten. They spoke of other things, of her convalescence, of the
engagements she had been obliged to cancel, of the stupid hours in her
room--doubly stupid, as the doctor had not permitted her to read or sew.
"And every day violets from you," she said; "it was certainly nice of
you. And--do you know that somehow--just because you have never yet
failed me--I thought perhaps--when I asked your confidence a moment
ago--"
He looked up quickly.
"_What_ is the matter with Gerald?" she asked. "Could you tell me?"
"Nothing serious is the matter, Eileen."
"Is he not ill?"
"Not very."
She lay still a moment, then with the slightest gesture: "Come here."
He seated himself near her; she laid her hand fearlessly on his arm.
"Tell me," she demanded. And, as he remained silent: "Once," she said,
"I came suddenly into the library. Austin and Gerald were there; Austin
seemed to be very angry with my brother.


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