FLAMING
This time she accepted it.
YOUTH
185
“Do you?” she crooned.
Releasing herself she drew him over to the divan, where she snuggled close to him. “I believe you do. It seems so funny. But I don’t see that it makes much difference, your being married.” “This difference ;that it’s all wrong, and unfair to you,
and only means suffering later on.” “That isn’t what I meant.” With lowered face she plucked nervously at his coat sleeve. ‘I mean—suppose you were
free; you wouldn’t
want
to marry
me, would
your”
“Good God, Pat! I want it more than anything else in the world.” “Little Me?” she crowed in delight. “That seems awfully funny. You’re so—so different, and you know so much, and I don’t know anything.” She pondered the matter. “If I was ten years older, or you were ten years younger I think it would be thrilling! But of course there’s nothing in that,” she added briskly. “You’re married and that’s settled. Am I acting like a rotter?” “I am,” he answered hoarsely. “I’m sorry, little PatI’ve been a beast. But I think I’ve got your point of view, now. It’s rather a shock—but there won’t be any more of that kind of love-making from me.” Like a little, lithe tigress she pounced upon him. “There will!” she panted rebelliously. “I want it to be so. I love to have you pet me.” “And I haven’t even the strength to resist that,” he mut-
tered. “I love you so.” ‘Then you must be very nice to me all the rest of the party, and I’ll save out as many dances as I can for you, and you can take me home again to-night. Couldn’t you come back a little while this afternoon, late?”
