"
"There ain't any too many teams for hire around here," she acquiesced;
and there was another silence.
"These days here have been--awfully pleasant: I wanted to thank you for
making them so," he continued, his colour rising.
She could not think of any reply, and he went on: "You've been
wonderfully kind to me, and I wanted to tell you.... I wish I could think
of you as happier, less lonely.... Things are sure to change for you by
and by...."
"Things don't change at North Dormer: people just get used to them."
The answer seemed to break up the order of his prearranged consolations,
and he sat looking at her uncertainly. Then he said, with his sweet
smile: "That's not true of you. It can't be."
The smile was like a knife-thrust through her heart: everything in her
began to tremble and break loose. She felt her tears run over, and stood
up.
"Well, good-bye," she said.
She was aware of his taking her hand, and of feeling that his touch was
lifeless.
"Good-bye." He turned away, and stopped on the threshold.
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