"Do not go, Jack. Stay here; stay in England, where we all love you. Don't go away."
"Where we all love you."
The words caused his heart to beat with happiness. She had used the word collectively, but it included herself. Noticing her face and her startled look, he said—
"Are you afraid I shall come to grief on my travels?"
"We hear of terrible things in the papers, such horrible things; and, oh, Jack, we have been so much together, I could not bear to lose my old playmate."
There were tears in her eyes, and he felt a desperate inclination to kiss them away. He mastered his feelings and said—
"I am well able to take care of myself, and I will come back, I promise you that. I am very glad you are so anxious about my welfare. I know I have a firm friend in you, Winifred."
She was cross because she had shown too much feeling, and said irritably—
"I am very silly. Of course, you can take care of yourself."
"You are never silly," he said. "I think I understand you, and it will be my greatest regret on leaving here to leave you behind."