WHAT are you thinking of, Richard, with your eyes wandering out on the water and your mouth so set?" asked the girl, after some moments of silence that began to trouble her.
Storms started as if a shot had passed him.
"Thinking of—Why nothing that should trouble you."
"But you don't care to talk, and me sitting by!"
"What is the difference, so long as you were in my mind? I was thinking that there might as well be an end of this. We could have the matter over, and no noise about it, you know."
Judith's heart made a great leap.
"Were you thinking of that, Richard? Oh, tell me!"
She was sitting on the floor, leaning her elbow on the bench, where Storms had flung himself with an utter disregard to her comfort. Now she leaned forward till her head rested on his bosom, and she clasped him fondly with her firm, white arms.
"Were you thinking of that now, really, darling?"
Storms did not actually push her away; but he turned over with his face to the wall, muttering: