"My dear Jim, she's my sister and I loved her, but angels can't go——"
"Don't say it."
"I won't, but don't you be foolish. Truth is truth, and we have to look at it whether we want to or not." He walked up and down the room. "Who would have thought that such a thing could happen?" he went on. "It's a dream. But why did she leave home when she knew how much we all loved her? What made her run away from you when she knew how you loved her? Jim, I'm going home to-day. Are you coming with me?"
"No, I'm going to stay here and look for her."
"And when you have found her she'll treat you as she did me. She'll say she has as much right there as you have. I don't believe it's any use. Better come home with me."
"No, I'm going to look for her, and if she'll marry me I'll bring her home."
"Jim, she is my sister, but—I won't say it. I love her, but I would rather have seen her dead than where I saw her last night. I'm going home."
"Wait a moment." For a time he pondered and then he said: "You may tell your mother, but don't tell the Major."
"But why should it be kept from him? He ought to know it. We'll have to tell him some time."
"Some time, may be, but not now, and don't you even hint it to him, and don't you tell Sallie. Don't tell any one but your mother. Do you hear?"