"You ought to be married, Mr. Soffy, and have a family of your own. You like children, don't you?"
"Yes. They know how to love without criticising. It's some satisfaction to win hearts like they possess."
"Don't you like to be criticised?"
"Not particularly. The critic seldom knows the truth about the one he criticises. For instance," he said smiling down at her, "you're not the only one who tells me I ought to be married. If I could have the right woman, I would marry to-morrow. But as I cannot, I will never marry."
A passionate look of admiration accompanied his words. There was no mistaking the meaning of it.
With the sudden shock of this revelation, Venna's whole being tingled with shame. She dropped her eyes in confusion, but suddenly raised them again in anger.
What could she say? He had not said anything that she could resent.
For a moment they looked into one another's eyes in silence, his gaze pleading with her anger more eloquently than words could have done. Gradually her look softened and she held out her arms for Anna.
"It is time for me to bathe baby," she said as naturally as she could. "You will tell the girls?"
Mr. Soffy knew this was meant for him to go.