"I will!" he thought, setting his teeth.
She felt the swell of his cheek-muscles as he did so, and looked up.
"Sophy...." he said; then stopped short.
"What is it, dear?" she asked. "Can I do something for you?"
He continued looking at her an instant, then closed his eyes.
"No," he said.
She thought his expression had been strange. It hurt her. It was as if he had wanted something, but did not dare ask her for it. She flushed suddenly—it was for him she flushed. She thought that he had been about to coax her for the morphia before the time for giving it. Was he going to "try it on with her," as little Anne had feared? Her limbs seemed to turn to water at the mere thought of that possible struggle.
But he said quietly the next moment:
"Sophy, the little Harding says that she'll come back here, when her mother is well enough. That being so, I want to ask you a favour."
"Yes—do!" she said eagerly.