She sat up in bed, supported on each side by her shaking hands; she was like a wild creature at bay, she looked him full in the face. "Do you think I would give him up, just to please you, or Dr. Lavendar, when I quarrelled with Lloyd, to keep him? Lloyd wouldn't agree that I should have him. Yes; if it hadn't been for David, you wouldn't have the right to despise me! Why, he's all I've got in the world." William King was silent. "You think I am wicked! But what harm could I possibly do him?" Her supporting arms shook so that the doctor laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Lie down," he said, and she fell back among her pillows. "Who could do more for him than I can? Who could love him so much? He has everything!" she said faintly. "Please take this medicine," William interposed, and his calm, impersonal voice was like a blow, "Oh, you despise me! But if you knew--" "I don't despise you," he said again. And added, "I almost wish I did." But this she did not hear. She was saying desperately, "I will never give David up. I wish I hadn't told you; but I will never give him up!" "I am going now," the doctor said. "But sometime I am afraid I must tell you how I feel about David. But I'll go now. I want you to try to sleep." When he had gone, she took from under her pillow that letter which had made her "faint like." It was brief, but conclusive: "The matter of the future has seemed to settle itself--I think wisely; and I most earnestly hope, happily, for you. The other proposition would have meant certain unhappiness all round. Keep your boy; I am sure you will find him a comfort. I am afraid you are a little too excited to want to see me again immediately. But as soon as you decide where you will go, let me know, and let me be of any service in finding a house, etc. Then, when you are settled and feel equal to a visit, I'll appear. I should certainly be very sorry to let any little difference of opinion about this boy interfere with our friendship. L.P." Sitting up in bed, she wrote in lead-pencil, two lines; "I will never see you again. I never want to hear your name again." She did not even sign her name. CHAPTER XXIX