"Mistress Marjorie and I--" He stopped, overwhelmed with shame.

His father turned full round and stared at him.
"Go on, sir." Robin seized his glass and emptied it.
"Well, sir.

Mistress Marjorie and I love one another.

We are but boy and girl, sir; we know that--" Then his father laughed.

It was laughter that was at once hearty and bitter; and, with it, came the closing of the open door in the boy's heart.