iseyesitwaslovethatmadehimtremble.Berthagavealittlecry,andacurioussensationpressedherheart.Thenwithoutwarning,theboyseizedherhandsandfallingonhiskneesbeforeher,kissedthemrepeatedly.HishotbreathmadeBerthatrembletoo,andthekissesburntthemselvesintoherflesh.Shesnatchedherhandsaway.
“I’vewantedtodothatsolong,”hewhispered.
Shewastoodeeplymovedtoanswer,butstoodlookingathim.
“Youmustbemad,Gerald.”Shepretendedtolaugh.
“Bertha!”
Theystoodveryclosetogetherhewasabouttoputhisarmsroundher.Andforaninstantshehadaninsanedesiretolethimdowhathewould,tolethimkissherlipsashehadkissedherhandsandshewantedtokisshismouth,andthecurlyhair,andhischeekssoftasagirl’s.Butsherecoveredherself.
“Oh,it’sabsurd!Don’tbesilly,Gerald.”
Hecouldnotspeakhelookedather,hisgreeneyessparklingwithdesire.
“Iloveyou.”
“Mydearboy,doyouwantmetosucceedyourmother’smaid?”
“Oh!”hegaveagroanandturnedred.
“I’mgladyou’restayingon.You’llbeabletoseeEdward,who’scomingtotown.You’venevermetmyhusband,haveyou?”
Hislipstwitched,andheseemedtostruggletocomposehimself.Thenhethrewhimselfonachairandburiedhisfaceinhishands.Heseemedsolittle,soyoung—andhelovedher.Berthalookedathimforamoment,andtearscametohereyes.Shecalledherselfbrutal,andputherhandonhisshoulder.
“Gerald!”Hedidnotlookup.“Gerald,Ididn’tmeantohurtyourfeelings.I’msorryforwhatIsaid.”
Shebentdownanddrewhishandsawayfromhisface.
“Areyoucrosswithme?”heasked,almosttearfully.
“No,”sheanswered,caressingly.“Butyoumustn’tbesilly,dearest.YouknowI’moldenoughtobeyourmother.”
Hedidnotseemconsoled,andshefeltstillthatshehadbeenhorrid.Shetookhisfacebetweenherhandsandkissedhislips.And,asifhewerealittlechild,shekissedawaythetear-dropsthatshoneinhiseyes.