He had done exuberant things before and left her unmoved except to mirth.

But this time she raised him up without a word, and he answered her touch with curious unresistance, like a man hypnotized and stood speechless, but with eyes that were filled with eloquence.
"Be good to-night, Gilbert," she said.

"I've ...

I've been awfully hurt to-day and I feel tired and worn--not up to fencing with you." The word "fencing" didn't strike home at first, nor did he gather at once from her simple appeal that she had not come in the mood that he had persuaded himself was hers.
"This is the first time that you've given me even an hour since you drew me to the Hosacks," he said.

"Be generous.