"Tell him myself?" she gave him another swift look that faltered as her eyes met his. "You are crazy! He would take David away."
"Mrs. Richie," said William miserably, "you know you can't keep David."
"Not keep David!"
She sat up in bed, supported on each side by her shaking hands; she was like a wild creature at bay, she looked him full in the face. "Do you think I would give him up, just to please you, or Dr. Lavendar, when I quarrelled with Lloyd, to keep him? Lloyd wouldn't agree that I should have him. Yes; if it hadn't been for David, you wouldn't have the right to despise me! Why, he's all I've got in the world."
William King was silent.
"You think I am wicked! But what harm could I possibly do him?" Her supporting arms shook so that the doctor laid a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Lie down," he said, and she fell back among her pillows.
"Who could do more for him than I can? Who could love him so much? He has everything!" she said faintly.
"Please take this medicine," William interposed, and his calm, impersonal voice was like a blow, "Oh, you despise me! But if you knew—"
"I don't despise you," he said again. And added, "I almost wish I did."