I thought it was all rubbish, mere natural attraction, part of Nature's scheme and so on, as they write in the clever books.

But it's more than that--at least it would be if I were---- Besides, I'm ages older than he is, although I was born six months later.

I'm a woman full-grown, and he is only a boy.

If he hadn't been a boy he would have taken his advantage when he must have known that I was weak as water, just for the joy of seeing him again.

Now he has lost his chance, if he wanted one, for by to-morrow I shall be strong again, and there shall be no more----" Then she looked at the backs of her hands which she could not see because of the gathering darkness, and as they were invisible, kissed them instead, just as though they belonged to someone else.