"You are really in Judge Baker's office? You--you
_won't_ say anything more?"
"You--darling! You have almost said you love me; do you know that? Well,
I'll be considerate. I will work and I will wait and I will believe--no,
I'll be certain that some day a woman more beautiful than the Greeks
imagined when they dreamed of goddesses who loved mortal men will come to
me and, because it is true, will quite say 'I love you.' But I may not
always be patient; for you do. After all, you are Nelly!"
I was almost faint with love of her and wonder; I adored her the more for
the earnestness with which she lifted her flushed, smiling, innocent face
to say:
"But tell me about the office, _please_. You wouldn't want me to
say--would you, if I wasn't sure? Isn't the Judge the most delightful man?
So--not pompous, you know; but so good. Don't you like Judge Baker?"
"I love you! Oh, yes, the Judge says, 'if we are confronted with an ugly
duckling we must congratulate the swan.' Were you ever an ugly duckling?
I'm sure you love me, Helen."
"Did he say that? Well, even when I last saw him why that was nearly two
weeks ago--I--oh, I was an ugly duckling!"
We laughed like children.
Pages:
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55