Chapter 49

The word, and the woebegone indulgence with which it was uttered made Phyllis smile. Her humor was always close to the surface, even when there were tears between. "You are a dear, good fellow," she said, "and I’ll never forget your kindness to-night, though as for doing anything, I am going to stay here." He was amazed at the gentleness of her tone. "I am never going to be his taskmaster," she went on, as much to herself as to Tommy. "As far as I am concerned he shall always be as free as air. If I went after h…