“Yes,” he answered eagerly. “I knew you would see: it's my chance, my whole career—”
But his mother, turning swiftly, put her hand over his mouth, though it was to Miss Rainey that she cried:
“Oh, don't let him say it—he can't; you mustn't let him!”
The girl drew her gently away and put an arm about her, saying: “Do you think I could stop him?”
“But do you wish to stop me?” asked Hector sadly, as he stepped toward her. “Do you set yourself not only in the way of my great chance, but against justice and truth? Don't you see that I must do it?”
“It is your chance—yes. I see the truth, Hector.” Her eyes had fallen and she looked at him no more, but, with a little movement away from him, offered her hand to him at arm's length. It was done in a curious way, and he looked perplexed for a second, and then frightened. He dropped her hand, and his lips twitched.
“Laura,” he said, and could not go on.
“You must go now,” she said to all three of us. “The house should be very quiet. I shall be his nurse, and the doctor will stay all night. Isn't it beautiful that Joe is going to get well!”
She went out quickly, before Hector could detain her, back to the room where Lane was.