Can't anybody stop her? Can't anybody
send her home?"
Austin said sullenly but distinctly: "The thing for us to do is to get
out. . . . Nina--if you are ready--"
"But--but what about Gerald?" faltered Eileen, turning piteously to
Selwyn. "We can't leave him--there!"
The man straightened up and turned his drawn face toward her:
"Do you wish me to get him?"
"Y-you can't do that--can you?"
"Yes, I can; if you wish it. Do you think there is anything in the world
I can't do, if you wish it?"
As he rose she laid her hand on his arm:
"I--I don't ask it--" she began.
"You do not have to ask it," he said with a smile almost genuine.
"Austin, I'm going to get Gerald--and Nina will explain to you that
he's to be left to me if any sermon is required. I'll go back with him
in the motor-boat. Boots, you'll drive home in my place."
As he turned, still smiling and self-possessed, Eileen whispered
rapidly: "Don't go. I care for you too much to ask it."
He said under his breath: "Dearest, you cannot understand.
Pages:
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538