I haven't
deserved it, I know, but--" He turned as if to leave, but faced
her again as he heard her pronounce his name. He was surprised to
see that there were tears in her eyes.
"Kirk," she said, "you're an awfully good sort, and I can't stay
angry with you. Do you know you've made it rather hard for me
staying away all this time?"
"I thought you never wanted to see me again."
"You shouldn't take so seriously what a woman says under such
circumstances. It's embarrassing. It makes things seem worse than
they are." She hesitated, as if to emphasize the difficulty of
such candor.
Kirk said, gently:
"Does that mean that we can forget all about it and be good
friends again? Does it mean that you'll forgive me?"
"I can't quite promise that," she answered. "But there is no need
of your avoiding me; and it's absurd for you to feel as you do,
that you can't accept any little services from me that might help
you in your work. I'm still interested in your success."
"You're tremendously good," he answered, really touched. "I can't
say anything, except that I'll try to be worthy of your kindness."
She gave him a half-distressed look, then smiled brightly.
"We won't talk of it any more," she said--"ever. Now do sit down
and tell me what you have been doing all this time.
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