Tom had a retentive memory. Was Janet intentionally misquoting? Did she mean him to take the nonsense rhyme seriously? He glanced sharply at her, but her head was partly turned as she helped herself to the vol-au-vent. He waited for her full attention before answering.
“It sounds like the unutterable tread of unsearchable circumstances,” he said.
It was Janet’s turn to be mystified. “I don’t at all understand what you mean,” she admitted plaintively, wrinkling her pretty forehead in wonder. “I don’t even know you are really my friend....”
“Janet, don’t for a moment doubt me,” Tom lowered his voice so that it reached her ear alone. “I am yours, heart and soul.”
Her eyes fell before his, unable to bear the worship which kindled his plain features almost into beauty, and the carmine mounted her cheeks.
“You’ll never believe anything people may say against me?” she pleaded.
“Never,” with reassuring vehemence.
“Will you promise to stand by me——?”
“Always; through thick and thin.”
“Then, Tom, save me from myself,” and a little cold hand slipped into his under cover of the table.