"Because, you see, I can't leave you like this, and your poor little mother wants me so badly.

She is ill, Gracie, and I ought to go to her, but I can't while you are crying so." Thus adjured, Gracie made gallant efforts to check herself.

But her spirit was temporarily quite broken.

She stood passively with the tears running down her face while Avery hastily dressed her again and set her rumpled hair to rights.

Then again for a few seconds they held each other very tightly.
"Bless you, my own brave darling!" Avery whispered.
To which Gracie made tearful reply: "Whatever should we do without you, dear--dear Avery ?" "And you won't cry any more ?" pleaded Avery, who was nearer to tears herself than she dared have owned.
"No," said Gracie valiantly.
She began to dry her eyes with vigour--a hopeful sign; and after pressing upon Avery another damp kiss was even able to muster a smile.
"Now you can do something to help me," said Avery.