She could scarcely believe the thing
his words and voice said, but it was there to believe. She gave a
little shiver and clung closer to him.
"You--care?"
"Of course I care!"
He released her enough to lift up her flushed little face, and bend
down and kiss it. "You knew that a long time ago. Kiddie----"
It was just then that the call-bell rang.
She hurried to her place, her heart beating and her cheeks burning
under the rouge. She was nearly sure that she had won--that the
wishing ring had given her what she had asked of it. John had not
said, "You and I are lovers, and we are going to be married" in so
many words--but his voice--and his touch--and his laughing certainty----
She was very happy, so happy that she went through the opera in the
state of some one drugged to ecstasy. She sang and danced and
laughed, and helped Phyllis whenever she could in her difficult task
of assuming a leading part at one day's notice, and felt as if the
play had carried her into a veritable fairyland. Tiddy forgot half
of his lines, the first time he spoke with her, watching her
brilliant eyes and vividness, and she laughed and pulled him
through. She was like a flame throughout the performance. Phyllis
did wonders, considering the short time she had had in which to
prepare, and the performance generally was so good that even the
people who were in it were surprised.
When it was safely over, and the dance was beginning--the dance was
taking place at the Hewitt house--Joy flung herself down for a
moment behind the curtains of the little alcove she knew so well by
now, and caught her breath.
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