He put forth a comforting hand.
She crept into his arms.

"Oh, Billikins," she whispered, "keep me with you! I'm not safe--by myself." The man's soul stirred within him.

Dimly he began to understand what his protection meant to her.

It was her anchor, all she had to keep her from the whirlpools.

Without it she was at the mercy of every wind that blew.
Again cold doubt assailed him, but he put it forcibly away.