212
FLAMING
YOUTH
ing to an empty world. And afterward, unless you have found something to satisfy your craving mind, will come the danger and the seductiveness of the Second Dreaming.” “Will you come back then?” she challenged. “T shall be a middle-aged man then; though I suppose you regard me as that now.” He forced a wry smile. “No; I shall never come back, in the way that you mean.” “T’ll make you,” she laughed. ‘Unless you’ve stopped caring.” “I shall never stop caring.” “If I get engaged shall I bring him to you? And if you say not, I won’t marry him.” Scott’s face contracted.
“No; my dear.
I don’t think
I could quite endure being put in that position.” “I don’t suppose I'll ever understand about you,” she sighed. ‘We ought to be going on, oughtn’t we?” She looked at him expectantly, but he only set about packing the things into the hamper. It was her turn to be thoughtful and silent when they
re-embarked in the car.
As they neared the city, she said
suddenly, “Come to the Parmenters’ this evening.” “T think not, Pat.”
‘Your voice sounds hard as iron. Why not?” “I don’t think it’s wise.” She affected not to understand him. “They’ll all be out, Cissie told me so.” “We said our good-byes last night. I don’t think I could stand it again.” A long silence followed. “I wish I’d never teased you,” said the girl. “I wish there was nothing between us that I had to be sorry for— things that I’ve done to hurt you, I mean.” “They are nothing, compared to the sweetness and
