'I may go back to where I came from,' he went on.

'I thought to go to sea wi' a blessed hope to cheer me up, and a knowledge o' some one as loved me as I'd left behind; some one as loved me half as much as I did her; for th' measure o' my love toward her is so great and mighty, I'd be content wi' half as much from her, till I'd taught her to love me more.

But if she's a cold heart and cannot care for a honest sailor, why, then, I'd best go back at once.' He made for the door.

He must have been pretty sure from some sign or other, or he would never have left it to her womanly pride to give way, and for her to make the next advance.

He had not taken two steps when she turned quickly towards him, and said something--the echo of which, rather than the words themselves, reached him.
'I didn't know yo' cared for me; yo' niver said so.' In an instant he was back at her side, his arm round her in spite of her short struggle, and his eager passionate voice saying, 'Yo' never knowed I loved you, Sylvia?
say it again, and look i' my face while yo' say it, if yo' can.