"Confound the thing! I'm going to drop it for to-day," I said. "It's dryer than dust."
Marjorie obediently put away the machine at my suggestion, saying that perhaps we would begin again after lunch. I told her that the next three hours after lunch were sacred to Morpheus, and that we were now in a region where it was impossible to resist the drowsy god with impunity.
We drew our rocking chairs together and talked, and I was very happy. Sometimes I took one of her hands in mine. It was very sweet to have her there.
"It is going to be dull for you," I suggested, after a time. "Whenever you can bear it no longer say so, and we will move on."
"I am in your employ," she answered, "and shall stay or go, as you bid me."
"Marjorie," I exclaimed, suddenly, "have you ever been in love?"
"I would rather talk on some other subject," she replied, soberly.
"Then I know you have. Tell me, is he living? is he still single? do you expect to marry him?"
She closed her mouth tightly and I knew no way to open it.
"I am such a foolish fellow!" I added. "Does it surprise you to learn that? I don't want you to love any one, or even to think of any one while you are with me. I want you to like me very much indeed."