"They—they are not easy," she said.
This, at least, was not easy for him. Her hands were trembling in his clasp. The thought came to him that perhaps some agitation she wished to hide had driven her from the room within, and she had come to him for momentary refuge because he was near. She looked up at him for a second with a touch of desperation in her eyes, and then he saw her get over it, and she spoke.
"Jack and Janey will miss you very much," she said. "You have been very kind to them. I think—it is your way to be good to every one."
"My opportunities of being good have been limited," he said. "If—if one should present itself,"—and he held her hands a little closer,—"you won't let me miss my chance, will you? There is no reason for my saying so much, of course, but—but you will try to remember that I am here and always ready to come when I am called."
"Yes," she said, "I think you would come if I called you. And I thank you very much. And good-by—good-by."
And she drew her hands away and stood with them hanging clasped before her, as if she meant to steady them, and so she stood until he was gone.
He was breathing quickly himself when he reached the street.
"Yes," he said, "the professor was right. It is Arbuthnot—it is Arbuthnot."