Lassiter’s answer to this was a modest and sincere affirmative.
“Why don’t oo marry my new muvver an’ be my favver?”
Of the thousands of questions put by little Fay to Lassiter this was the first he had been unable to answer.
“Fay—Fay, don’t ask questions like that,” said Jane.
“Why?”
“Because,” replied Jane. And she found it strangely embarrassing to meet the child’s gaze. It seemed to her that Fay’s violet eyes looked through her with piercing wisdom.
“Oo love him, don’t oo?”
“Dear child—run and play,” said Jane, “but don’t go too far. Don’t go from this little hill.”
Fay pranced off wildly, joyous over freedom that had not been granted her for weeks.
“Jane, why are children more sincere than grown-up persons?” asked Lassiter.