Don't be afraid of me!" There was more of pleading in his voice than he knew.

She raised her head suddenly, and looked at him as if puzzled.
He pulled out his handkerchief and dabbed her wet cheeks with clumsy tenderness.

"It's all right," he said again.

"Don't cry! I hate to see you cry." She gazed at him, still doubtful, still sobbing a little.

"Oh, Billikins!" she said, tremulously, "why did you ?" "I don't know," he said.