"But I have so little time!"
The cloud leaped to his face now and became thunderous.
"Shucks! I forgot. What a nuisance! Oh, I say, you know, I don't think you ought to be doing—such work. Do you—forgive me, but do you really—have to?"
"Yes, I have to."
She had turned her face half away, but he thought he could see tears in her eyes.
"Are you—all alone, then? Haven't you any—people?" His voice had grown very tender.
"No—no one. Father died, then mother. There was no one else—to care; and no—money."
"Oh, I'm so—so sorry!"
He spoke awkwardly, with obvious restraint. He wanted suddenly to take her in his arms—to soothe and comfort her as one would a child. But she was not a child, and it would not do, of course. But she looked so forlorn, so appealing, so sweet, so absolutely dear—
He got abruptly to his feet.