"Yes. He did care, darling." Very softly Bernard reassured her. "Don't you think that ever! He is going to answer that prayer of yours—pretty soon now."
"Oh, is He?" said Tessa, brightening. "How do you know? Is He going to say Yes?"
"I think so." Bernard's voice and touch were alike motherly. "But you must be patient a little longer, my princess of the bluebell. It isn't good for us to have things straight off when we want them."
"You do want me?" insinuated Tessa, squeezing his neck very hard.
"Yes. I want you very much," he said.
"I love you," said Tessa with passionate warmth, "better—yes, better now than even Uncle Everard. And I didn't think I ever could do that."
"God bless you, little one!" he said.
Later, when Major Ralston had seen her again, they had another conference. The doctor's suspicions were fully justified. Tessa would need the utmost care.
"She shall have it," Bernard said. "But—I can't leave Stella now. I shall see my way clearer presently."
"Quite so," Ralston agreed. "My wife shall look after the child at Bhulwana. It will keep her quiet." He gave Bernard a shrewd look. "Perhaps you—and Mrs. Monck also—will be on your way Home before the hot weather," he said. "In that case she could go with you."