Blair's first interview with Carly Harper was painful for both. The Cranes had told her of Peter's death, but the sight of Blair seemed to bring home to the girl a further and more vivid realization of her loss.
"I wish now I'd been kinder to him," she said, her voice quivering.
"Oh, come now, Carly, I know you weren't unkind."
"No; but I wouldn't—wouldn't do what he asked me——"
"Never mind, dear; I think I know what you mean, and, let me tell you, old Peter was happy enough—about you. He seemed pretty sure that things were coming his way."
"Of course," the girl said frankly. "I only wanted him to go away, free, and then if he still wanted me when he came back—and now he'll never come back!" she gave way to silent weeping.
"His parents say he has come back," offered Blair, more by way of diversion than comfort.
Carly looked up quickly. "They told you that?" she said.
"Yes, told me pretty much all about their 'messages.' Foolishness, of course, but it seems to comfort them."
"It doesn't comfort me," and Carly sighed. "I don't believe in it, you see." And she looked at him with a curious glance.