I could take him on my back, but that is hurting him too much." He looked at her--through her, it seemed to Lorraine.

In spite of her fear, in spite of her grief, she felt that Swan was reading her very soul, and she backed away from him.
"I could help your father very much," he said soberly, "but I should tell you a secret if I do that.

I should maybe ask that you tell a lie if somebody asks questions.

Could you do that, Miss ?" "Lie ?" Lorraine laughed uncertainly.

"I'd _kill_!--if that would help dad." Swan was folding his coat very carefully and placing it under Brit's head.