“Without me?”
At first Joan shook her head decidedly, but thereafter she quickly became thoughtful.
“No, except when we eat.”
“You don't want me here at dinner-time? Poor munner will get so hungry.”
A great concession was about to burst from the remorseful lips of Joan, but again second thought sobered her. She remained in a quandary, unable to speak.
“Don't you want me even when you wake up at night?”
“Why?”
“Because you're so afraid of the dark.”
“Joan's not afraid. Oh, no! Joan loves the dark.”
If Kate maintained a smile, it was a frozen grimace. It had only been a few days—hardly yesterday—that Joan left, and already she was a little stranger. Suppose Dan should refuse to come back himself; refuse even to give up Joan! She started up, clutching the hand of the child.