With the toe of her dainty shoe, she traced a pattern in the moss at her feet; and still with downcast eyes, she said: "You--you are going back?
Of course." "Yes; I must go back," he said, in a dry voice.

"As I told you, I have only come over to do this business.

I must go back soon." "How--how soon ?" she asked, scarcely knowing that she spoke.
"Oh, in a week or two, at longest," he replied, his eyes downcast, his voice barely above a murmur.
There was silence for a moment; then she forced a smile and, with difficulty raising her eyes to his, said: "Of course, you must.

Well, I am--am glad to have seen you, to have heard that you are prospering.

I--I must be going back." Again she made a movement, as if to rise; but he took her hand and gripped it tightly, almost fiercely.
"Not yet," he said, his voice choked and thick.