"Ah, but I could not go then."
"Why not?"
"I could not leave them alone here."
"Why not here as well as in America?"
"My father needs me here," said Dolly in a low voice and with tears,—what sharp tears of bitterness!—coming into her eyes.
"Needs you! Do not I need you?" said Mr. Shubrick.
"No," said Dolly. "I am so glad you don't!" And her brown eyes gave one flash of undoubted, albeit inexplicable, pride and rejoicing into his face.
"How do you dare say that, Dolly?" he asked in growing curiosity and mystification.
"You can stand alone," she said, her voice again drooping. Mr. Shubrick was silent a moment, considering what this might mean. They had not altered their relative positions during this little dialogue. Dolly's face was again covered by her hands.
"I don't know if I can stand alone," said Sandie at last slowly; "but I am not going to try."