She turned and left the room. She was nearly at the end of her resisting power, and but for the welcome diversion incident to her departure, she could not have controlled herself longer. The last one! One taken, one trembling, and now Wilfred!
The boy entered into none of the emotions of his mother. He clapped the cap on his head and threw it back.
“Fits me just as if it were made for me,” he said, settling the cap firmly in place. “Orderly, I will be with you in a jiffy.”
Caroline stood still near the table, her eyes on the floor.
“We won’t have to send it now, will we?” he pointed to the letter.
Caroline, with a long, deep sigh, shook her head, and slowly handed the letter to him. Wilfred took it mechanically, his eyes fixed on the girl, who had suddenly grown very white of face, trembly of lip, and teary of eye-lashes.
“You are very good,” he said, tearing the letter into pieces, “to help me like you did.”
“It was nothing,” whispered the girl.
“You can help me again, if you want to.”
Caroline lifted her eyes to his face, and he saw within their depths that which encouraged him.