"Headache ?" she asked.
"Yes; it's nothing; it's gone already." "Worry ?" she asked.
"Yes, I suppose it is," he answered.

"But I ought not to worry.

I've got a good home, a good mother, good sisters, and--you!" And he took advantage of a high hedge and an empty lot on either side of them.
Diantha returned his kiss affectionately enough, but seemed preoccupied, and walked in silence till he asked her what she was thinking about.
"About you, of course," she answered, brightly.

"There are things I want to say; and yet--I ought not to." "You can say anything on earth to me," he answered.
"You are twenty-four," she began, musingly.
"Admitted at once." "And I'm twenty-one and a half." "That's no such awful revelation, surely!" "And we've been engaged ever since my birthday," the girl pursued.
"All these are facts, dearest." "Now, Ross, will you be perfectly frank with me?
May I ask you an--an impertinent question ?" "You may ask me any question you like; it couldn't be impertinent." "You'll be scandalised, I know--but--well, here goes.

What would you think if Madeline--or any of the girls--should go away to work ?" He looked at her lovingly, but with a little smile on his firm mouth.
"I shouldn't allow it," he said.
"O--allow it?
I asked you what you'd think." "I should think it was a disgrace to the family, and a direct reproach to me," he answered.