Page:What Maisie Knew (Chicago & New York, Herbert S. Stone & Co., 1897).djvu/120

106 The child wondered. "Bring you and her together?"

"You see we 're not together—not a bit! But I ought n't to tell you such things, all the more that you won't really do it—not you! No, old chap," the young man continued; "there you 'll break down. But it won't matter—we'll rub along. The great thing is that you and I are all right."

"We 're all right!" Maisie echoed devoutly. But the next moment, in the light of what he had just said, she asked: "How shall I ever leave you?" It was just as if she must somehow take care of him.

His look did justice to her anxiety. "Oh, well, you need n't. It won't come to that."

"Do you mean that when I go you 'll go with me?"

Sir Claude hesitated. "Not exactly 'with' you, perhaps; but I shall never be far off."

"But how do you know where mamma may take you?"

He laughed again. "I don't, I confess!" Then he had an idea, but it seemed a little too jocose. "That will be for you to see, that she sha'n't take me too far."

"How can I help it?" Maisie inquired in surprise. "Mamma does n't care for me,"