And then Polly smiled, “We have each other, and God, Jasper,” she said.
“Yes,” said Jasper; “and as long as I can say that, Polly, I can bear everything else.”
There was a step outside in the old kitchen; Jasper sprang to his feet, Polly by his side.
“It is only I, children,” said Mr. Marlowe.
So they ran out to him, getting him into the easiest chair, and trying to comfort him; for although he said nothing, it was easy to see how he was suffering. And sitting one each side, they took a hand and patted it softly between their own.
“I came as soon as I knew,” Mr. Marlowe was saying quietly; “can I do anything to help? Have you wired Ben and David? It’s better for them to hear it first from you.”
“No,” cried Jasper, starting to his feet; “I forgot it.”
“He thought only of me,” cried Polly.
“I’ll attend to it,” said Mr. Marlowe, getting up quickly; “on the way to the train I cabled to Liverpool for full particulars.”
“Oh, how good you are!” cried Jasper and Polly together.