I couldn't!" said Puck, almost crying, clinging fast around his neck.
"But why not ?" he questioned, gently.

"Weren't they kind to you there?
Weren't you happy ?" She clung faster.

"Happy, Billikins! With that hateful Captain Silvester lying in wait to--to make love to me! I didn't tell you before.

But that--that was why I left." He frowned above her head.

"You ought to have told me before, Puck." She trembled in his arms.