I've got you so in my heart, Mary,
that I couldn't get rid of you if I tried ever so. You must know
that it's true."
"I do know that it's true."
"Well! Don't you think that a fellow like that deserves something
from a girl?"
"Indeed I do."
"Well!"
"He deserves a great deal too much for any girl to deceive him. You
wouldn't like a young woman to marry you without loving you. I
think you deserve a great deal too well of me for that."
He paused a moment before he replied. "I don't know about that," he
said at last. "I believe I should be glad to take you just anyhow.
I don't think you can hate me."
"Certainly not. I like you as well, Mr. Twentyman, as one friend
can like another,--without loving."
"I'll be content with that, Mary, and chance it for the rest. I'll
be that kind to you that I'll make you love me before twelve months
are over. You come and try. You shall be mistress of everything.
Mother isn't one that will want to be in the way."
"It isn't that, Larry," she said.
She hadn't called him Larry for a long time and the sound of his
own name from her lips gave him infinite hope. "Come and try. Say
you'll try. If ever a man did his best to please a woman I'll do it
to please you." Then he attempted to take her in his arms but she
glided away from him round the table.
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