“I can’t, Lexy! I can’t!” she answered, and from her eyes, now closed again, tears came running slowly down her cheeks.
“Yes, you can!” said Lexy. “We’ll—”
“Supposing I get her some nice hot soup?” whispered Mrs. Royce, and, at a nod from Lexy, she was off again.
Caroline reached out and caught Lexy’s hand.
“Oh, Lexy, Lexy!” she said. “Can you ever forgive me?”
“No!” her friend replied cheerfully. “Never! But don’t bother now. You can tell me later, when you feel better.”
“I’ll never, never feel better till I’ve told you! Oh, Lexy, I knew yesterday, and I didn’t tell you! Oh, Lexy, Lexy, I don’t understand! I want to tell you! I want you to help me!”
A flush had come into her cheeks. She was growing painfully excited. She tried to sit up, but Lexy firmly prevented that.
“Lie down, darling!” she said. “We’ll get a doctor.”
“No! No! I’m not ill—not ill, Lexy, only tired. Oh, you don’t know! You won’t let him come here, Lexy?”