'I am glad of that,' said Jessie, in a low tone.
'There is more wisdom in your remark,' he said, with a thoughtful observance of her, 'than you probably imagine. I give you credit for using it in the best and kindest sense.'
'I meant it in that sense,' said Jessie gently, drawing a little nearer to him.
'Will you tell me why you are glad that I should have sorrows?'
'For one reason----'
'Well?'
'It does not remove you so far from us,' said Jessie, with less confidence than she usually exhibited.
'I try to do that?' he asked. 'I try to remove myself from you?'
'I think so,' she answered. 'You are not angry with me?'
'No, child,' he said, and the gentleness of his tone surprised me.