But remember this, Gretchen, I loved you the best I knew how, as a man loves but once, honorably as it was possible, purely and dearly." The shade of trouble crossed her face.

"Why are you always talking like that?
Do I not know that you love me?
Have I not my dowry, and are we not to be married after the vintage ?" "But your singing ?" "Singing?
Why, my voice belongs to you; for your sake I wish to be great, for no other reason." He ripped a bunch of grapes from the vine, a thing no careful vintner should do, and held it toward her.
"Have you ever heard of the kissing cherries ?" he asked.
She shook her head.

He explained.
"This bunch will do very well." He took one grape at the bottom in his teeth.

Gingerly Gretchen did the same.

Their lips met in a smothered laughter.