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Rh after her, and I thought it would be just like her not to say a word to you about it all, so here I am, playing tame cat, carrying tales. Go down to-night, Jocelyn, and take that girl away somewhere.”

“They think she’s ill?” Jarvis repeated.

“She looks it to me. If she were my wife, I’d be alarmed.”

He rose as he finished, and Jarvis rose, too. They looked each other in the eyes.

“Thank you!” said Jarvis.

He suddenly realized, without words of any kind, that this man suffered as he did, because he, too, loved Bambi. He was big enough to come to her husband with news of her need. By a common impulse their hands met in a warm hand-clasp.

“She needs you, Jocelyn,” Strong said.

“You’re a good friend, Strong,” Jarvis answered.

When he had gone, Jarvis hurried to his room and began to pack his bag. His heart beat like a trip-hammer with excitement. He was going to Bambi! She needed him. He had endured a week of the third degree, practised upon himself. He had peered into every nook and corner of his own soul. He knew himself for a blind, selfish egotist. He was ready now to fling his winter garments of repentance