Anna Chapin Ray

“ If a spark drops on it, she is as likely to blow up her best friend as her worst enemy. It's as uncomfortable for one as for the other; but it generally makes some difference afterwards to the girl herself." He spoke with the quiet dignity which he assumed at times, a dignity which never failed to make Janet think back to their father, now sleeping under the Mount Hermon trees. Then he held out his arms. "Come over here, Janet," he said.
And Janet came. Great girl that she was, blankets and all she curled herself up on Ronald's knee and nestled to the circling grasp of his strong arms. ”

“ He found a tight little bundle of blue blanket and blue dressing-gown huddled in a corner of the couch, and the sole arm-chair the room afforded, drawn forward and evidently awaiting him.
"Bad child! You'll catch a cold," he admonished her, as, with one strong hand, he dragged the coverings from the bed and heaped them about her. "You ought to be asleep." ”

“ Janet protested mutinously. "It never seems to occur to Day Argyle that she isn't just right, never. Perhaps she is all right. She may be, for all I know. Still, I do wish she would show occasional misgivings on the subject. I'd like to see her, just once, all mussed up and crying her eyes out."
Prudently Ronald changed the subject. He felt that Janet was sounding feminine depths which he could never hope to fathom. Rather than flounder about too aimlessly, he dived in another direction.
"But you said you fought with Rob, too," he suggested. ”

“ She slid down from his knee and stood facing him, a shapeless cocoon of blankets topped with a face which, just then, seemed to be all eyes.
"Because," she answered; "one feels such a fool, while the apology is being accepted and the fatted calf is being butchered. ”

“ Now she gripped it sturdily.
"Don't go yet, Ronald. You aren't sleepy, I know."
Something in her tone caught his attention, always vigilant where Janet was concerned.
"What is it, dear? Is something wrong?" he asked instantly.
"Yes. No. Not now. But are you too tired to stay and talk it over?"
For his answer, Ronald seated himself and waited, waited long and patiently for, now that her chance was come, Janet seemed loath to speak.
"Now that her chance was come, Janet seemed loath to speak" ⁠ Page 200
"Do you remember the day of the storm, Ronald?" ”