He should have KNOWN I wouldn't, and besides, "Leon feels just as badly about this as any of us," I said.

"Have you forgotten he offered to plow, and let you do the clean, easy work ?" "Forgive me! I'm overanxious," said Laddie, his arms reaching for me.
"Go on and tell carefully, and if you truly love me, don't make a mistake!" Crowding close, my arms around his neck, his crisp hair against my lips, I whispered my story softly, for this was such a fine and splendid secret, that not even the shining blackbirds, and the pert robins in the furrows were going to get to hear a word of it.

Before I had finished Laddie was breathing as Flos does when he races her the limit.

He sat motionless for a long time, while over his face slowly crept a beauty that surpassed that of Apollo in his Greek book.
"And her gift ?" It was only a breath.
"She helped me up, and she sent you this," I answered.
Then I set my lips on his, and held them there a second, trying my level best to give him her very kiss, but of course I could only try.
"Oh, Laddie," I cried.

"Her eyes were like when stars shine down in our well! Her cheeks were like mother's damask roses! She smelled like flowers, and when her lips touched mine little stickers went all over me!" Then Laddie's arms closed around me and I thought sure every bone in my body was going to be broken; when he finished there wasn't a trace of that kiss left for me.