The endearment made Gusta cry the harder. And then Elizabeth, who had shrunk from her and from everything in the room, put her arms about her, and supported her, and patted her shoulder and repeated:
"There, dear, there, you mustn't cry."
And then presently:
"Tell me what I can do to help you. I want to help you."
Gusta sobbed a moment longer.
"Nothing, there is nothing," she said. "I just wanted you. I wanted some one--"
"Yes, I understand," said Elizabeth. She did understand many things now that made life clearer, if sadder.
"I wanted you to tell my poor old mother," said Gusta. "That's all--that's what I had to tell you."
She said it so unconvincingly, and looked up suddenly with a wan smile that begged forgiveness, and then Elizabeth did what a while before would have been impossible--she kissed the girl's cheek. And Gusta cuddled close to her in a peace that almost purred, and was contented.
Gusta was held for a week; then released.