He laid the sketch aside and sat waiting.
“Why did you let her come to tempt me?”
“Because I can see no real reason why you should go.”
Her eyes became appealing.
“Oh, how blind! And you let the child rush at me, let me feel her warm arms round my neck. It was not fair to me, or to any of us.”
“To me it did not seem unfair, because I do not think that I am such a criminal.”
“I know; you are so sure of yourself. But if you thought that the child would persuade me, you were very much deceived. It has made me realise more than anything else that I cannot go on with the life at Fernhill.”
He bent forward in his chair.
“Eve, I tell you from my heart that you are wrong. I want you to be something of a mother to Lynette. I can give the man’s touches, but my fingers are not delicate enough to bring out all the charm. Think, now.”
She sat rigid, staring straight before her.