In Darjeeling you didn't like me."
"I did. Tonight I can be frank and tell you that I was glad to go to it
because you were there."
She looked at him wonderingly.
"But you wouldn't take any notice of me there," she said.
"No. I was told that you were engaged, or practically engaged, to
Charlesworth, and disliked any one else taking up your time."
She sat up indignantly.
"To Captain Charlesworth? How absurd! I suppose I've Ida to thank for that.
I wouldn't have married him for anything."
"Is that so? What a game of cross-purposes life is! But that's why I didn't
try to speak to you much."
"Did you want to? I thought you disliked me. And it hurt me so much. Do you
know, I used to cry about it sometimes. I wanted you to be my friend."
He walked over to her settee.
"Noreen, dear, I wanted to be your friend and you to be mine," he said,
looking down at her. "I liked you so much. At least, I thought I liked
you."
"And--and don't you?" she asked, looking up at him.
He knelt beside her.
"No, little friend, I don't like you. Because I--" He paused.
"What?" she whispered faintly.
"I love you, dear. Do you think it absurd?"
She was silent for a moment. Then she looked slowly up at him; and in her
eyes he read her answer.
"Sweetheart! Little sweetheart!" he whispered, and held out his arms to
her.
Pages:
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364