The silence that had fallen on them again, became an unendurable infliction.

She burst into talk; she was loud and familiar--ashamed of her own boldness, and quite unable to control it.

"You are very fond of Zo!" she said suddenly.
It was a perfectly commonplace remark--and yet, it seemed to perplex him.
"Am I ?" he answered.
She went on.

Against her own will, she persisted in speaking to him.
"And I'm sure Zo is fond of you." He looked at Zo.

"Are you fond of me ?" he asked.
Zo, staring hard at him, got off his knee; retired to a little distance to think; and stood staring at him again.
He quietly repeated the question.