"
"A definite proposal?"
"To make our relations regular, as it were--to put them on a comfortable
footing."
"I see--it's a system," said Pemberton. "A kind of organised blackmail."
Mrs. Moreen bounded up, which was exactly what he wanted. "What do you
mean by that?"
"You practise on one's fears--one's fears about the child if one should
go away."
"And pray what would happen to him in that event?" she demanded, with
majesty.
"Why he'd be alone with _you_."
"And pray with whom _should_ a child be but with those whom he loves
most?"
"If you think that, why don't you dismiss me?"
"Do you pretend he loves you more than he loves _us_?" cried Mrs. Moreen.
"I think he ought to. I make sacrifices for him. Though I've heard of
those _you_ make I don't see them."
Mrs. Moreen stared a moment; then with emotion she grasped her inmate's
hand. "_Will_ you make it--the sacrifice?"
He burst out laughing. "I'll see. I'll do what I can. I'll stay a
little longer. Your calculation's just--I _do_ hate intensely to give
him up; I'm fond of him and he thoroughly interests me, in spite of the
inconvenience I suffer.
Pages:
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53