pleased,butgavehimnoencouragement,andforoncehewasbashful.Theyseparatedatherdoorstepwiththequietesthandshake.
“It’sawfullykindofyoutohavecome.”
Heappearedimmenselygratefultoher.Herconscienceprickedhernowthathehadspentsomuchmoneybutshelikedhimallthemore.
Gerald’smonthwasnearlyover,andBerthawasastonishedthatheoccupiedherthoughtssomuch.Shedidnotknowthatshewassofondofhim.
“Iwishheweren’tgoing,”shesaid,andthenquickly:“butofcourseit’smuchbetterthatheshould!”
Atthatmomenttheboyappeared.
“Thisdayweekyou’llbeonthesea,Gerald,”shesaid.“Thenyou’llbesorryforallyouriniquities.”
“No!”heanswered,sittinginthepositionhemostaffected,atBertha’sfeet.
“No—which?”
“Ishan’tbesorry,”hereplied,withasmile,“andI’mnotgoingaway.”
“Whatd’youmean?”
“I’vealteredmyplans.ThemanI’mgoingtosaidIcouldstartatthebeginningofthemonthorafortnightlater.”
“Butwhy?”Itwasafoolishquestion,becausesheknew.
“Ihadnothingtostayfor.NowIhave,that’sall.”
Berthalookedathim,andcaughthisshiningeyesfixedintentlyuponher.Shebecamegrave.
“You’renotangry?”heasked,changinghistone.“Ithoughtyouwouldn’tmind.Idon’twanttoleaveyou.”
Helookedathersoearnestlyandtearscametohiseyes,Berthacouldnothelpbeingtouched.
“I’mverygladthatyoushouldstay,dear.Ididn’twantyoutogososoon.We’vebeensuchgoodfriends.”
Shepassedherfingersthroughhiscurlyhairandoverhisearsbuthestarted,andshivered.
“Don’tdothat,”hesaid,pushingherhandaway.
“Whynot?”shecried,laughing.“Areyoufrightenedofme?”
Andcaressinglyshepassedherhandoverhisearsagain.
“Oh,youdon’tknowwhatpainthatgivesme.”
Hesprangup,andtoherastonishmentBerthasawthathewaspaleandtrembling.
“IfeelIshallgomadwhenyoutouchme.”
Suddenlyshesawtheburningpassioninh