"I see how it is!" cried he, suddenly growing red, "Master Groggett hath tempted thee away from me, with Promise of higher Salary. Pitiful Fellow! I wot he hath long envied me a faithful Servant. 'Tis against our Company's Ordinance, to tempt a Man from his Master! Go, however, since thou wilt, ungrateful Youth!—thy Fidelity hath been undermined; thou hast never apprized our Kindness, hast never loved us!"
This unloosed my Tongue, and I said, "I have felt, if I have not deserved your Kindness, Master Hewet. No one hath tempted, nor could tempt me away, and I but seek to go for that I love you e'en too well."
"How can you love us too well?" quod he distrustfully.
—"One of you," I said, faltering.
"Anne?" cried he. And saw it in my Face.
—"Well, Lad," quod he, softer, "no Need to blush scarlet nor weep, where no Shame lieth. That would be in not loving her, I think. You may love too much, you can't love too well."
"Too well for my Peace," quod I, turning my Head away—"You had better let me go."
"Well, I think not," quod he, after a Pause of some Length. "Go to what? To another House, where Everything will be worse for thee, save that Anne will be not only out of Reach but out of Sight. You must perforce conquer yourself then, you know. Try to conquer yourself now."
"I don't think I can," I said; so huskily, that he made me repeat it twice.
"You meant to try, I suppose," quod he, "when you spake of going away."