What a beautiful thing it was to be so dear to anyone that he or she could not do without you!
"You saw Ralston that dreadful morning?"
"Yes." Marian buried her face in her hands. Some feeling of unknown power connected with her youth shook her, thrilled her; yet she strove to put it aside. "I prayed I might not go back to that time," and her voice was tremulous; "then when we all thought him dead I—I let myself go. It is shameful for a woman when a man has forgotten her."
"He has made tremendous efforts to forget—I know that," and the sound like a smile in her voice made Marian's face crimson again. "But I am sure he has not succeeded any better than Roger did. And if he should be unfortunate for life—"
"Then I should want to go to him. No one has any right to order my life now. Would it be very unwomanly?"
"No. And you must go to Patty's. She thinks it so queer, but I said you hated to leave me. Marian, if it comes a second time you will not refuse?"
"I think I hadn't the courage to really refuse the first time," and she smiled.
Jaqueline had more delicacy than to repeat what Annis had said, and had forbidden her to carry anything like gossip, "for a little girl who gossips will surely be an old maid. And you will want a nice husband, I am certain."
"Oh, yes!" cried Annis. "And a lot of pretty babies."