It's different abroad or in America.
Tea's more like an accident than an institution."
"Never mind talking of tea, either."
"I'll talk about you, then."
"I want to talk about you--and what's going to become of you to-night."
"Only think, if I'd arrived to-morrow, I should have been too late!"
"Too late for what?"
"For the _other part_. You'd have been gone. But Fate's always kind to
me. It made me come just in time."
"Tell me, then--about that other part. Do you want my advice?"
"Not exactly advice."
She looked at him across the little table, through the twilight. A
sudden fire leaped up in his eyes, which usually looked coldly at life
as if he had resigned himself to let its best things pass him by.
"Peter! You don't mean--you can't mean----"
"Do you want me to mean it?--Do you want me----"
"Want you? I've wanted nothing else since before you were out of short
frocks, but----"
"Then why didn't you tell me so before I put them on? I was--oh, Jim, I
was _dying_ to hear it. I was afraid you didn't care in that way, that
you thought me a silly child always. That's why I went back to stay in
the convent, to try and find peace, and forget. But when I heard about
Mary and her love, I couldn't bear it there any longer. I hoped that
perhaps, after all--and when I came to-day and you looked at me, I knew
for certain. I felt so brave, and I made up my mind to propose, for I
was sure _you_ wouldn't. It's leap year, anyhow."
They were standing now, and Jim had her in his arms.
Pages:
522
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538
539
540
541
542
543
544
545
546