Well, I had to throw up my hand then. In a matter of this kind some one or the other has to make a sacrifice of dignity. I have never been engaged in such an encounter where both retained it till the end.
"Want you to go," said I. "Upon my soul, I don't know what I should do without you."
A big smile of gratitude spread all over his face. It was as good as if he had held out his hand, and far more respectful.
"Well, if there's anything I can do for Mrs. Bellairs, sir—"
Of course, this was overdoing it. He meant well, but you can see yourself that it was overdoing it. Accordingly, he got no more than he deserved. I sent him out to the chemist with an awful prescription.
CHAPTER X
I believe one can disarm even Destiny. God knows what might not have happened had that child been born in such surroundings as Clarissa found herself before she came to me. You may be sure the poor little mite would have been sorely in the way. God knows what might not have happened.
But so far as I was concerned with Clarissa, it was welcome. It would give her something to live for who had so little of her own. I was prepared to do my best that it should not be ushered into a world which shuddered at its coming.
Once only in the few times that I saw her Clarissa spoke of it.
"It will be so terrible for you," she said.