That is why I let them all
array themselves before I refused to go."
He was still smiling. "Delicate flattery," he said, "adapted to an
invalid. You should never let an invalid think you pity him--at least
not a man-invalid who got knocked out while playing a vigorous game for
all it was worth."
"Jerry," she said, looking full at him out of a pair of eyes which were
capable of saying eloquent things quite by themselves, "do you think all
the hours I've spent with you in this month I've been visiting Hester
were spent from pity?"
"I hope not," he answered lightly. "I'm sure not. We've had some
pleasant times, haven't we?"
She turned from him without speaking, and, clasping her hands loosely
in front of her, bent forward and studied the fire. Presently she got up
and took a fresh log from the basket.
"Be careful," he warned, as she stooped to lay it in place. "Put it on
gently. The sparks might fly, and that cobweb dress of yours----"
She laid the log across the other half-burnt sticks, and started back
with a little cry as a dozen brilliant points of flame flew toward her.
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