He tried with all the strength of his young manhood to hide his own hurt and meet her need.
"I could kill myself for making you cry. I'm going to be good now. Really and truly your good big brother."
She glanced up at him with charming shyness.
"I'll forget the things that you have said to-night—if you won't say them again."
"I shall not tie myself to an impossible promise," he repeated, "but I am going to tie you to a promise."
"Me?" She faced him.
"Yes. Oh, see here," boyishly, "I brought something for you to-night. I have noticed that you don't wear rings, but I want you to wear this." He opened his hand and showed her, lying on the palm, a little silver ring. "It's just a simple trinket that my sister wore as a child. I'd like to think that it would tie you to me always—for remembrance. I had hoped that you would let me give you another some time. But this—why, you can't object to wearing it—and it would mean a lot to me if you would——"
Her slender fingers touched it. "How sweet of you to think of it——"
"Then you'll wear it?"
"Yes—because you are—my friend."