know, Dic," she said between sobs, "I ... I know, but I
can't ... can't tell you now. Wait till I can speak. But I love you.
I ... can tell you that much. I will try to ... to explain when ... I
can talk."

"You need explain nothing," said Dic, soothingly. "I want only to know
that you have not forgotten me. I have suffered terribly these last few
days."

"I'm so glad," responded the sobbing girl, unconscious of her apparent
selfishness.

The kitchen fireplace was too small for a hearth log, so Dic and Rita
took chairs before the fire, and the girl, regardless of falling tears,
began her explanation.

"You see, it was this way, Dic," she sobbed. "He came with Uncle Jim,
and then he came again and again. I did not want him--I am sure you
know that I did not--but mother insisted, and I thought you would make
it all right when you returned. You know mother has heart trouble, and
any excitement may kill her. She is so--so--her will is so strong, and I
fear her and love her so much. She is my mother, and it is my duty to
obey her when--when I can. The time may come when I cannot obey her. It
has come, several times, and when I disobey her I suffer terribly and
always think how I would feel if she were to die."

Dic longed to enlighten her concerning the mother heart, but could not
find it in his heart to attack even his arch-enemy through Rita's
simple, unquestioning faith. That faith was a part of the girl's
transcendent perfection, and a good daughter would surely make a good
wife.

Rita continued her explanation: "He came many times to see me, and it
seems as though he grew to liking me. Then he asked me to marry him, but
I refused, Dic; I refused. I should have told him then that I had
promised to be your wife--" here she gave Dic her hand--"but I was
ashamed and--and, oh, I can't explain after all. I can't tell you how it
all happened. I thought I could; but I really do not myself understand
how it has all come about."

"You have not promised him?" asked Dic in alarm.

"Indeed, I have not, and I never shall. He has tried, with mother's
help, to force himself upon me, and I have been frightened almost to
death for fear he would succeed. Oh, take me now, Dic. Take me at once
and save me from him."

"I would, Rita, but you are not yet eighteen, and we must have the
consent of your parents before we can marry. That, you know, your mother
would refuse. When you are eighteen--but that will be almost a year from
n