I've often been afraid you would laugh at me if I told you....
If it's only our ages--you seem as young as I do...." He looked up, hopefully; but she made no response.
The boy drew a long breath.
"I love you, anyway," he said.

"And that's how it is." She neither spoke nor stirred.
"I suppose," he went on, "because I was such a beast of a boy, you can never forget it." "You were the sweetest, the best--" Her voice broke; she swung about, moved away a few paces, stood still.

When he halted behind her she turned.
"Dearest," she said tremulously, "let me give you what I can--love, as always--solicitude, companionship, deep sympathy in your pleasures, deep interest in your amusements....

Don't ask for more; don't think that you want more.

Don't try to change the loyalty and love you have always had for something you--neither of us understand--neither of us ought to desire--or even think of----" "Why ?" "Can't you understand?
Even if I were not too old in years, I dare not give up what I have of you and Geraldine for this new--for anything more hazardous....