For I'm afraid that Ned has made a poor return to your hospitality by falling in love with her." "Impossible! He has known her for scarcely a week." "I am afraid we won't agree as to the length of time necessary to appreciate and love a woman.

I think it can be done in seven days and four hours, the exact time we have been here." "Yes; but as Kate was not in when you arrived, and did not come until later, you must take off at least one hour," said Mrs.Hale gayly.
"Ned can.

I shall not abate a second." "But are you not mistaken in his feelings ?" she continued hurriedly.

"He certainly has not said anything to her." "That is his last hold on honor and reason.

And to preserve that little intact he wants to run away at once." "But that would be very silly." "Do you think so ?" he said, looking at her fixedly.
"Why not ?" she asked in her turn, but rather faintly.
"I'll tell you why," he said, lowering his voice with a certain intensity of passion unlike his usual boyish lightheartedness.