Jeannie stroked Daisy's hair gently for a moment or two.
"You speak of spoiling love," she said. "That is not easy to do. In fact, it can't be done. So don't have any fears on that point, my darling."
Daisy was silent for a while.
"And if he asks you why you did it?" she said.
Jeannie considered this.
"I may have to tell him," she said. "It all depends. Probably you don't understand that."
"No; tell me," said Daisy.
"If he appeals to me in the name of his love for me, I think I shall have to tell him," said Jeannie. "I don't want to; I shall do my best not to. But there is a claim, that of love, which is dominant. I did not mean him to fall in love with me, dear; I meant him only to be detached from you. But bigger issues, I am afraid, have come in. You must trust me to do the best I can. I think you will trust me, will you not?"
Daisy clung closer for a moment, and then she sat up.
"Yes. And I haven't even said I am sorry, and I am sure I need not. Aunt Jeannie, I think I want to go away alone for a little. I want, yes, I want to cry a little more, but by myself. Do you understand?"