But don't confuse it with any serious sentiment." "I do care seriously." "You make me very happy.

Care for me very, very seriously; I want you to; I--I need it.

But don't mistake the kind of affection that we have for each other for anything deeper, will you ?" "Don't you want to care for me--that way ?" "Not _that_ way, Scott." "Why ?" "I've told you.

I am so much older----" "_Couldn't_ you, all the same ?" She was trembling inwardly.

She leaned against a white birch-tree and passed one hand across her eyes and upward through the thick burnished hair.
"No, I couldn't," she whispered.
The boy walked to the edge of the brook.