"I didn't mean to," she said contritely. "How can you always know just what to do, Hope? I wish I didn't act like an ape, whenever I'm frightened. But do you think he's much hurt?"
Archie answered the question by opening his eyes. He looked up at Hope for a minute, first in wonder at his position, then with an expression of infinite content, as he saw her pretty face bent over him and read the anxiety in her eyes. Then his own eyes grew merry, as he glanced at the tearful, dishevelled Theodora.
"I'm not dead yet," he said. "You came near beating me; but you haven't done it yet, my fair niece." He tried to rise as he spoke.
Hope's hand on his forehead grew a shade heavier.
"Wait a little," she said. "You've cut yourself, and I want it to stop bleeding, first. Aren't you comfortable?"
For a second time, Archie looked up into her eyes.
"Perfectly," he answered briefly.
The pause which followed was an expressive one. Hubert broke it.
"Ye-es," he said critically, as he bent over Archie for a moment; "you aren't looking your very prettiest, Archie. When you do get up, I advise you to go in search of a mirror."
"Hu!"