“Sit down, Katherine,” he said, stung to a great pity. “I shan’t waste time beating about the bush. I’ve been thinking—most of the night.”
“So have I,” she replied. “All night!”
“It’s not right, Katherine. It’s not fair to them.”
“I know,” she said.
He was silent for a moment, looking about him. It was easy to see why her children loved her so, why she had so many friends. In all her carelessness there was something lavish and generous. She was never petty. She was like a child herself, reckless and impulsive—and lovely. Hadn’t Blakie loved her himself, and known how beautifully kind she could be? Never could his children suffer any great harm from her.
“I’ve brought them back,” he said.
“Lew!”
“Yes,” he said. “It’s too damned hard on them—this way. I’ve brought them back to you—to keep.”
“Lew!” she cried. “Oh, my poor Lew!”
Tears were running down her cheeks. He patted her shoulder.