"Since you are no longer here," she answered, gravely, "how can it concern me?"
"But—er—if I hadn't gone?"
"I shouldn't have minded."
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He lighted his briar, leaned elbows
on knees, and watched her frankly.
Dislike the sun-bonnet as he might, he
was forced to acknowledge that it
made a charming setting for her face,
throwing it into the softest of shadow
save where a sunbeam crept past its
jealous edge and danced and quivered
on the firmly rounded chin. Occasionally,
when the head was turned a little
toward him, he saw glints of blue
under the long golden-brown lashes,
and at such moments felt strange
thrills of excitement. He found himself
wondering with a leaping heart
what it would be to have those blue
eyes looking straight into his from
