velasted!Theywouldstayandseethestarsshineoutdimly,onebyone,fromthebluesky,tillitgrewlateandthebluedarkenedintoblack,andthestarsglitteredinthousandsallabovethem.Butasthenightsgrewcooler,theyfounditcoldonthegrass,andthetimetheyhadthereseemedtooshortforthelongjourneytheyhadtomakeso,crossingthebridgeasbefore,theystrolledalongtheEmbankmenttilltheycametoavacantbench,andtheretheywouldsit,withLizanestlingcloseuptoherloverandhisgreatarmsaroundher.TherainofSeptembermadenodifferencetothemtheywentasusualtotheirseatbeneaththetrees,andJimwouldtakeLizaonhisknee,and,openinghiscoat,shelterherwithit,whileshe,withherarmsroundhisneck,pressedveryclosetohim,andoccasionallygavealittlelaughofpleasureanddelight.Theyhardlyspokeatallthroughtheseevenings,forwhathadtheytosaytooneanother?Oftenwithoutexchangingawordtheywouldsitforanhourwiththeirfacestouching,theonefeelingonhischeekthehotbreathfromtheother'smouthwhileattheendofthetimetheonlymotionwasanupraisingofLiza'slips,abendingdownofJim's,sothattheymightmeetandkiss.SometimesLizafellintoalightdoze,andJimwouldsitverystillforfearofwakingher,andwhensherousedherselfshewouldsmile,whilehebentdownagainandkissedher.Theywereveryhappy.Butthehourspassedbysoquickly,thatBigBenstrikingtwelvecameuponthemasasurprise,andunwillinglytheygotupandmadetheirwayhomewardstheirpartingswereneverending—eacheveningJimrefusedtolethergofromhisarms,andtearsstoodinhiseyesatthethoughtoftheseparation.
'I'dgivesomethin','hewouldsay,'ifwecouldbetogitheralways.'
'Nevermind,oldchap!'Lizawouldanswer,herselfhalfcrying,'itcan'tbe'elped,sowemustjollywelllumpit.'
ButnotwithstandingalltheirprecautionspeopleinVereStreetappearedtoknow.FirstofallLizanoticedthatthewomendidnotseemquitesocordialasbefore,and