"You'll let me tell you all that's in my heart, my brother?"
The soldier was a boy again. He took his sister's hand and stroked it as he had in the old days at Stratford.
"Of course, my dear."
"And remember that we are brother and sister?"
"Always."
She clung to his hand and made no effort now to keep back the tears.
"And that I shall always believe in you and be proud of you—"
A sob caught her voice and she could not go on. He pressed her hand.
"It's sweet to hear you say this, Annie, in the darkest hour of my life—"
She interrupted him in quick, passionate appeal.