Page 190 (1/2)

"I a said with an

aard effort to laugh; "but--"

"But I am a sinner?" she interrupted

"Oh, Mrs Richie, don't let us talk this way! I have nothing but pity,

and--and friendship The last thing I e of your actions; God knows I have no right to judge anybody!

But this matter of David, that's what I wanted to speak to you about

My responsibility," he stopped, and drew in his breath "Don't you

see, my responsibility--"

Helena did not speak; she was ht for

her child How should she begin? But he did not wait for her to begin

"I would rather lose one all over

it, a hundred times I've tried to see soive hiht for you to have

him! Mrs Richie, I say this, and it is hard and cruel, and yet I

never feltstopped short--"friendly," he ended

brokenly