When she spoke, there was a new tone in her voice: "But were you not shocked ?" "Of course I was," I answered on the spur of the moment, and I now think wisely.

"Shocked is hardly the word.

I was horrified beyond anything that words can convey that you--_you_ should have to so endure! I did not like to return, for I feared lest my doing so might set some barrier between us.

But in due time I did return on another day." "Well ?" Her voice was like sweet music.
"I had another shock that time, worse than before, for you were not there.

Then indeed it was that I knew to myself how dear you were--how dear you are to me.