I know myself that things are harder to endure some days than they are others." She stopped and looked at him in that enigmatical way she had.

"You may not know it--but I've been staying here just to see whether you fail or succeed.

I thought I understood a little of why you came, and I--I stayed." She leaned and twisted a wisp of Hooligan's mane nervously, and Ford noticed how the color came and went in the cheek nearest him.
"I--oh, it's awfully hard to say what I want to say, and not have it sound different," she began again, without looking at him.

"But if you don't understand what I mean--" Her teeth clicked suggestively.
Ford leaned to her.

"Say it anyway and take a chance," he urged, and his voice was like a kiss, whether he knew it or not.