It's
real good of you. And I shall remember it all my life. I think you are
the most charitable man I ever met, considering what you must think of
me."
"Think!" said Merefleet, and there was a note of deep passion in his
voice. "I don't think. I want you just as you are,--just as you are.
Don't you know yet that I love you enough for that?"
Mab rose slowly at the words. She was very pale, and he could see her
trembling as she stood.
"Big Bear," she said, "I've got something to say to you. What I told you
yesterday was quite true. And I'm in great trouble about it. I thought we
were going to Heaven together. That was how I came to say it. But it was
very wicked of me to be so impulsive. I've done other things that were
wicked in just the same way. It's just my nature. And p'r'aps you'll try
to forgive me when you think how I truly meant it. I'm telling you this
because I want you to do something for me. It'll be real difficult, Big
Bear. Only you're so strong."
She faltered a little and paused to recover herself. Merefleet was
standing close to her. He could have taken her into his arms. But
something held him back. Moreover he knew the nature of her request
before she uttered it.
"Will you do what I ask you?" she said suddenly, facing him directly.
"Will you, Big Bear?"
Merefleet did not answer her.
She went on quickly.
"My dear, it's hard for me, too, though I'm bad and I deserve to suffer.
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