rather think and remember that I first said 'I love you!' here, at this moment? Oh, I mean—I mean," he cried, "can it be right for me to tell you now that—I love you—I love you!"
"Oh, so much better now," the girl's soft breath bore the words back to him.
"Better, Ethel?" he cried, incredulous. "Do you mean you can love me, too, as—as you have trusted me all this time without—without—"
"Without waiting for some one else to make me sure it is safe to love—you?" the full little lips finished for him.
"Oh, please don't laugh at me now in—in just the old way again, Ethel—oh, Ethel!" he pleaded. "I know that I am dull and stupid with you! But please—oh, don't mock me now and laugh in—in even your dear, fine, friendly old way again! For I love you—I love you!"
But the girl laughed softly, just as he had begged her not to do; but in spite of her
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