She wanted Miss Claes as never before. This was too much for one small person to hold. When she really listened again, Rufe was asking to go upstairs with her to see her room.
“It’s just a common room. What’s the use?”
“Little afraid to see me alone, eh, Pan?”
“Not afraid—only what’s the use?”
“You might see it different——”
“I might have once, Rufe——”
“Say, Pan——”
“Yes?”
“Does Mrs. Melton want to be free?”
Her hands dropped to the seat of her chair again. She saw the new want in his eyes and something else—the old captive thing.