"Why didn't we let the dog do its work?" muttered Roddick.
Janet caught the words and gripped him by the arm.
"No, no—not that, Leo. That is what I meant—you will kill her if I leave you, and we should lose our chance of happiness, you and I, for ever. Oh, can't you see it? You who shook the breath out of my body because I asked you to take me away."
The creature glared from one to another and tried to speak, but Roddick checked her roughly.
"It is better to run away than commit murder," went on the girl, with eager persistence. "Will nothing make you understand, Leo?"
He pulled himself together.
"It is well to do neither, child. You can trust me."
"Will you swear to do—that thing—no harm?"
"Yes, I swear it. Now go."
She hesitated, glanced at the bundle of rags, then held up her face. He kissed it gravely.