"Please—oh, please."
She began to sob like a little child. "Oh, big brother," she told him, "you have spoiled everything."
He knelt beside her chair. "How have I spoiled things?"
"I wanted you for my friend."
"I am your friend, dear one."
Very still and pale she fought against the sweetness of the truth he was forcing upon her.
"Please—go away," she whispered.
He rose to his feet. "I shall not give you up."
She rose also, a frail little thing in her floating draperies, and laid her hand lightly on his arm.
"There are things which I cannot tell you. But I need a friend. If you care for me you'll let me be your—little sister; you won't trouble me by saying such things as you have said—to-night."