“But, Mr. Marlowe, I cannot be spared,” cried Jasper, aghast. “And as long as everything seems to be so well over there, I ought not to leave you.”
“I’m going to have my say now, Jasper,” declared the publisher deliberately, and drawing up his chair to their side. “To be sure, all is right, thank God, over there; but Polly wants to see Joel for herself, and you need it, too, after all this anxiety; and then you are to go on to Rome, and look after them all there.”
“O Mr. Marlowe!” Polly and Jasper turned, and gazed into each other’s faces. This was too good to be true.
“You are sacrificing yourself,” said Jasper brokenly. “Stop—don’t say a word, sir, I know just what is to be done; and my work must come on you. No, no, it isn’t right; I cannot go and leave you; Polly wouldn’t wish it under such conditions.”
“No,” said Polly, throwing her arm around him; “indeed, I do not wish it, dear Mr. Marlowe. I wouldn’t go for anything.”
“Listen, now, Polly,” Mr. Marlowe turned his face with a smile toward her; “you are both like my children, aren’t you?” looking at Jasper now.
“Yes, yes, we are,” they both cried.
“Well, then, I’m going to be obeyed,” he said, getting a hand of each, and keeping them close. “Now, hear me. You are wife and child and everything to me, and it is my happiness to look out for you. Don’t go against my plan, children. Remember, I’m all alone in the world, and don’t thwart me in this.” He set his lips firmly together, while his keen gray eyes held them.
“But, sir”—began Jasper.
“No, no, Jasper, it won’t do. I’ve planned it all coming out on the train. I can get Jacobs; he’s out of a job now. He can take some of the detail work you look after, so that I shall not carry that. And I should only worry if you stayed at home. You must go.” Mr. Marlowe took away his good right hand a moment from Polly’s, to bring it down quickly on his knee.