"But I hoped you would not."
"Don't let us begin at the end. I haven't seen you since I left Millstead. Were you surprised at my going?"
"I was rather surprised at the way you went."
"I thought you would understand it. Now, honestly, didn't you?"
"Perhaps I did."
"I thought so. You had seen what I only saw that very night. You understood—"
"Please, Father Stafford—"
"Say Mr. Stafford."
"No. I know you as Father Stafford, and I like that best."
"As you will—for the present. You knew how I stood. You saw I loved you—no, I am going on—and yet felt myself bound not to tell you."