"I should have learned by this time that it is useless to say no when you say yes, Mr.Paine." "But do you ?" She turned altogether and faced me.
"I am very glad to believe you," she said, with simple directness.
I stammered a "Thank you" and was silent.

I dared not trust myself to speak at the moment.

Somehow the sincerity of her words moved me far more than their trifling import warranted.

She had declared her belief that I was not a liar, that was all; and yet I stood there fighting down all sorts of ridiculous emotions.

The situation was decidedly strained, but, as usual, she saved it.
"It seems to me," she said, with the twinkle which I had learned to recognize as a forerunner of mischief on her part, "that you are inclined to make mountains out of mole-hills, Mr.Paine.Was there any need to be quite so fiercely tragic?
And, besides, I think that even now you have not told the whole truth." "The whole truth?
Why, Miss Colton, I have just explained that--" "Oh, not that truth! Your mysterious 'reasons' are not my affair.