Merope was afraid, afraid he would get angry with her as he prodded her for information. Slowly, the words came out that would bring up a probable fight between the two,"....Tom." She was fearful of his reaction and her nimble, weak arms clutched him much tighter than before. The feeling of possibly abandonment was so severe that she refused to let him go. Merope's tiny hands clutched him so hard, she might accidentally hurt him.
"Don't push me away." Merope said softly, whispered in her most submissive and cowardice tone.