"I know; but it isn't fair to them or to—Mrs. Brodrick that they should be so dependent on me."
"But—they're babies."
"Not quite—now. It isn't right that I should be taking their mother's place, that they should look to me for everything."
"But," he broke in irritably, "they don't. Why should they?"
"They do. They must. You see, it's because I'm on the spot."
"I see." He hid his frowning forehead with one hand.
"I know," she continued, "it can't be helped. It isn't anybody's fault. It's—it's inevitable."
"Yes. For the present it's—inevitable."
They both paused on that word.
"I suppose," he said, "you're really afraid that they'll get too fond of you?"