Must you pull it any tighter?
I--I can bear it, of course, but I'd much rather you didn't if--if you don't mind." She spoke gaspingly.

Her eyes were full of tears, though she kept them resolutely from falling.
"Poor little one!" he said.

"But you are very brave.

Once more--so--and we will not do it again.

The pain is not so bad now, no ?" He looked up at her with a smile so kindly that Chris nearly broke down altogether.