"The ladder will not bear the weight of both of us. You are his sister," calmly replied Sin Far.
"But he loves you best. You and he can be happy together. I am not fit to live."
"May Lin John decide, Mermei?"
"Yes, Lin John may decide."
Lin John reached the casement. For one awful second he wavered. Then his eyes sought the eyes of his sister's friend.
"Come, Mermei," he called.
"Where is Sin Far?" asked Mermei when she became conscious.
"Sin Far is in the land of happy spirits."
"And I am still in this sad, dark world."
"Speak not so, little one. Your brother loves you and will protect you from the darkness."
"But you loved Sin Far better—and she loved you."
Lin John bowed his head.
"Alas!" wept Mermei. "That I should live to make others sad!"
"Nay," said Lin John, "Sin Far is happy. And I—I did my duty with her approval, aye, at her bidding. How then, little sister, can I be sad?"
