Will you let me be your friend, and will you come to me for comfort if you need it?
You will know later why I speak." He saw that I was in earnest, and stooping, took my hand, and raising it to his lips, kissed it.

It seemed but poor comfort to so brave and unselfish a soul, and impulsively I bent over and kissed him.

The tears rose in his eyes, and there was a momentary choking in his throat.

He said quite calmly, "Little girl, you will never forget that true hearted kindness, so long as ever you live!" Then he went into the study to his friend.
"Little girl!" The very words he had used to Lucy, and, oh, but he proved himself a friend..