She had never noticed him, but he had loved her as from an immeasurable distance.
Both were very young.
Lucy lifted a beautiful, frightened face, and stared at him.

"Isn't it so ?" she cried.
"I dare say it ain't.

You had better mind your ma." "I dare say it's all a rumor," said Sylvia, soothingly.
Mrs.Ayres echoed her.

"All a made-up story, I think," said she.

"Go right up-stairs, Lucy, and put it out of your head." Lucy crept up-stairs with soft sobs, and they heard a door close.
Then the boy spoke again.