"That I can take care of you."
"Do you mean that I mustn't even tell Dad, Barry?"
"You mustn't tell any one, not until I come back."
Every drop of blood was drained from her face.
"Until you come back. Are you going—away?"
"I promised Gordon to-day that I would."
She swayed a little, and he caught her. "I had to promise, Leila. Don't you see? I haven't a penny, and I can't confess to them that I've married you. I wanted to tell him that you were mine—that all your sweetness and dearness belonged to me. I wanted to shout it to the world. But I haven't a penny, and I'm proud, and I won't let Gordon think I've been a—fool."
"But Dad would help us."
"Do you think I'd beg him to give me what he hasn't offered, Leila? I've got to show them that I'm not a boy."
She struggled to bring herself out of the strange numbness which gripped her. "If I could only tell Dad."