“There is nothing you can do, sweetheart; there is nothing for you to worry about. Papa will take care of you always, whatever happens. Go to bed now, and go to sleep, honey.”
“But, papa, I can't sleep. Let me stay and—”
“No, dear. There is nothing you can do. It will only worry me to have you stay. Go to bed, and put all this out of your mind. It will all come right in the end.”
Carroll kissed Charlotte again, and put her gently from him, and she disappeared in her own room with a suppressed sob.
“I am glad Ina is out of the way,” Anna said, but with no bitterness.
“So am I,” Carroll agreed, simply.
“I wish Charlotte had as good a man to look out for her,” said Anna.
Carroll straightened himself with quick pride. “I shall look out for her,” he said. “You need not think I am quite out of the running yet, when it comes to looking out for my own flesh and blood.”
“No, of course you are not, Arthur. I did not mean to imply any such thing,” Anna rejoined, hastily. “I was only— Come into my room. Amy is fast asleep by this time, and if she is not she has a headache, and you might as well try to consult with an infant in arms as Amy with a headache. And something has to be done.”
“Yes, you are right, Anna,” Carroll replied, with a heavy sigh.