“If it failed now, it would be too awful,” he said.
“Don’t say that word; don’t even think it!” she cried.
“You mustn’t care so much,” he begged her.
“Don’t you care?”
“Of course, more than you know. But I am prepared for failure, if it comes.”
“I can’t be prepared for it. It cannot happen!” she sobbed.
He stood looking down at her helplessly.
“What can I do for you? What is it you want?” he demanded gently.
“I want to be rocked,” she sobbed.
“To be—”
She pushed him into a big chair, and climbed into his arms.
“Rocked,” she finished.
He held her a minute closely, then he rose and set her down.
“I can’t do it,” he began. “I have something to tell you that must be said—”
“Not to-night, Jarvis, I’m too tired.”
“Yes, to-night, before another hour passes. Sit down there, please.”
She obeyed, curiously.
