"Yes, sir; I was asking this lady to help me. I'm dying of consumption, sir."
The man's manner was quiet enough. Durgan saw that both the sisters were intensely excited. The elder had her emotion perfectly under control; the younger looked almost fierce in the strain of some distress. What surprised him was that his protection was equally unwelcome to both. He could see, spite of their thanks, that, in trouble as they were, their first desire now was that he should be gone.
"I do not trust this man," Durgan said. "I would rather stay within call till you dismiss him."
"I'm all right, sir," said the darkie, again respectfully.
"He won't do us any harm," cried Bertha eagerly.
"I know who he is," said Miss Smith; "I know him to be unfortunate, Mr. Durgan."
Yet Durgan saw dismay written on Bertha's face as surely as if they had been attacked by open violence.
"Birdie, go out with Mr. Durgan and wait. You cannot be afraid to leave me while he is near."
"I will not! I will not!" cried the younger, with more vehemence than seemed necessary. So excited was she that she stamped her foot as she spoke.