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364 “I am, dearest, I am.”

“I never meant to hurt you. This week has nearly killed me.”

He took her into his arms, and sat in the big chair, holding her close, while she clung to him and sobbed out her heart. He kissed her hair, her wet eyes, and her lips, saying over and over, “Oh, littlest, I love you so, I love you so!” When the sobs ceased, he lifted her face to his.

“I want to see the shine in your eyes, dearest, and then I want you to listen to me.”

She drew his head down to her and kissed him.

“The shine will come back now, beloved. Oh, Big”—she said with a sigh—“my old Jarvis.”

“No, your new Jarvis, little wife. The old, crazy Jarvis will be more to your liking. I may not understand you very well yet, but I know my need of you my pride in you—”

“And my need of you?”

“And your need of me. We’re in step, now, honey girl—and we’ll march along together without any more misunderstandings, won’t we?”

“Oh, we will, if you’ll take short steps, so I can keep up.”

“I’m the one to do the running now, Miss Mite.