She jumped as if I had been a snake when she saw me, then she said, "Oh, is it you ?" like she was half glad of it.

My chance had come.
I went to her, sat close beside her and tried snuggling up a little.
It worked.

She put her arm around me, drew me tight, rubbed her cheek against my head and we sat there.

I was wondering how in the world I could ask her, and not get slapped.

I was growing most too big for that slapping business, anyway.