“Gervais,” she said,—“I know your name, you see—are you uncomfortable? Is there anything the matter—anything to do with what we were speaking of this afternoon?”
Jerry looked up wistfully.
“No,” he said. “I’m sure you’ll never tell any one—will you?”
“Oh, no; I will keep my promise exactly; and whenever I can do so without betraying you in the least, I will let Charlotte know that I am not going to try for the prize.”
“Thank you, oh, thank you so very much,” said Jerry fervently. “I know you will do it nicely.”
“It may be quite easy,” Claudia went on. “I am not sure but that we shall be going away very soon, and that I couldn’t try for it even if I wanted,” and she smiled a half-sad little smile.
“But I shall always know how good you were,” said Jerry, as if that should console her for all other misapprehension.
Claudia smiled again.
“Thank you,” she said; “and good night.”
But Jerry still fidgeted about.