"I am going away in a minute. But I want to tell you something first."
Her sobbing ceased, but he waited till she asked:
"Well, what?"
"There is somebody who loves you."
Hopefully Jennie raised her head and turned her face to him--still oddly pretty in spite of the tear-streaked rouge. But after a moment's look she said resentfully:
"It isn't you!"
"No," said Merriam, "it isn't I."
Even at this rate the discussion was apparently interesting enough to rouse her. With a sudden movement she curled herself up, half sitting, half reclining, in a corner of the davenport, and smoothed the crumpled skirts over her knees.
"Do you mean George?" she asked.
"No," said Merriam, "I mean Mr. Simpson."