Silence invariably encourages them to try again.
"Clara! have you forgotten what I said at the concert yesterday?
May I say it again ?" "No!" "We sail to-morrow for the Arctic seas.

I may not return for years.
Don't send me away without hope! Think of the long, lonely time in the dark North! Make it a happy time for _me_." Though he speaks with the fervor of a man, he is little more than a lad: he is only twenty years old, and he is going to risk his young life on the frozen deep! Clara pities him as she never pitied any human creature before.

He gently takes her hand.

She tries to release it.
"What! not even that little favor on the last night ?" Her faithful heart takes his part, in spite of her.

Her hand remains in his, and feels its soft persuasive pressure.