down. She waited till the tension of his figure seemed to relax again, till the quick glances at her from beneath drooping eyelids ceased, and once more he settled down with dangling hands to look at the fire. Then she began again, quietly and decisively.
“Your mother isn’t well,” she said. “No … just listen quietly. What is going to happen tomorrow? I’m speaking to you , Laurie to you . Do you understand?”
“I’m all right,” he said dully.
She disregarded it.
“I want to help you, Laurie. You know that, don’t you? I’m Maggie Deronnais. You remember?”
“Yes—Maggie Deronnais,” said the boy, staring at the fire.
“Yes, I’m Maggie. You trust me, don’t you, Laurie? You can believe what I say? Well, I want you to fight