"What's the difference? Well, they have a trial, and Gerald stops being a doctor and studies law and makes a brilliant plea and saves her. Then, right in the court-room before them all, he presses her hand to his lips and cries, 'Mine! Mine forever!' and the whole room full of people thunders applause."
Theodora paused. Her cheeks were glowing with excitement. Billy had turned away his head and his arm half shielded his face.
"What do you think?" she demanded.
"It's great," he answered, with an odd huskiness in his tone.
"You really like it? You're not laughing at me?" Her tone was eager, yet mistrustful.
Billy's loyalty asserted itself. He took down his arm.
"Honestly, Ted, it's a great thing," he said with perfect gravity. "It's different, too; not just like all the others."
Theodora drew a deep sigh of relief as she nestled back in the chair.
"I'm so glad you like it, Billy, for I did want you to. You're the only living soul I've ever told, and now, if you don't think it's too bad, I'm going right to work on it." There was still a little note of question in her voice.
Billy held out his hand to her.