"For liking you well enough! Yet now I've shown my liking—and my courage, you like me less."
"No."
"You do!"
"No."
"Prove that."
"How do you want me to prove it?"
Aline's voice was thick. She felt broken, but not beaten yet. "Prove it," she almost whispered, "by sacrificing that girl to—our friendship. When we go back to the summer-house, tell her you've changed your mind; that you'll find out at what place her mother is playing now; and that after all you think it best to send her there at once. You could find out easily, you know! And I'd take the child myself if you liked. I'd do that for you, if you'd do what I ask for me."
"You're only trying me, Mrs. West," said Somerled. "You don't really wish me to fail the girl."
"Fail her! What an exaggeration. She wants to go to her mother."
"At present she wants to go to her mother by motor-car."