Quite suddenly Olga's lips began to quiver.

She raised her head with the agitated gesture of one straining for self-control; and then in a moment the tears were running down her cheeks, and she covered her face and sobbed.
"Kiddie! Kiddie!" remonstrated Nick.
But it was Max who stooped and swiftly lifted her, holding her against his heart, stroking the fair hair with his steady capable hand.

And surely there was magic in his touch, for almost immediately her weeping ceased.

She looked up with slightly startled eyes, and drew herself gently but quite definitely from him.
"Thank you," she said, with a quaint touch of dignity.

"You're very kind.