Part 37 (2/2)
Doctor Hilary laughed.
”So that was the cause of the depression,” quoth he.
Trix nodded. ”It was rather silly, wasn't it?” she asked.
”I am not sure,” he said.
”It was such an idiotic little thing to worry about,” said Trix
Doctor Hilary looked thoughtful.
”Perhaps. But isn't it just the little things we _do_ worry over? They are so small, you know, it's difficult to handle them. It is far easier not to worry over a thing you can get a real grasp of.”
Trix smiled gratefully.
”I am so glad you understand,” she said. ”I am always doing things on impulse. I fancy I am indispensable, I suppose, and then all at once I think what a little donkey I am to have interfered. It is so easy to think oneself important to other people's welfare when one isn't a bit.”
”Aren't you?” said Doctor Hilary quietly.
”Of course not,” replied Trix. There was a hint of indignation in her voice. ”And please don't say I am, or else it will make me feel that you think I said what I did say just in order that you might contradict me.
Like fis.h.i.+ng for a compliment, you know. And I didn't mean that in the least, I didn't truly.”
Doctor Hilary smiled, a queer little smile.
”I know you didn't mean that. But all the same I am going to contradict you.”
Trix looked up. ”Oh well,” she began, laughing and half resignedly. And then something in Doctor Hilary's face made her stop suddenly, her heart beating at a mad pace.
”You have become very important in my life,” he said quietly. ”I did not realize how important, till you went away.”
Trix was silent.
”I am not very good at making pretty speeches,” said Doctor Hilary steadily, ”but I hope you understand exactly what I mean. You have become so important to my welfare that I should find it exceedingly difficult to go on living without you. I suppose I should do it somehow if I must, but probably I should make a very poor job of it.” He stopped.
Trix gave a sudden little intake of her breath. For a moment there was a dead silence. Then:--
”Will you always feed me when I am depressed?” she asked. And there was a little quiver half of laughter, half of tears, in her voice.
CHAPTER x.x.xI
MIDNIGHT REFLECTIONS
”Yes, Tibby angel, you were quite right.”
It was the sixth time Trix had made the same remark in the last half hour, and she had made it each time with the same attentive deliberation as if the words were being only once spoken, though she knew she would probably have to say them at least six times more.
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