"Have you noticed how quiet and reserved our chap Fellows has been lately?"
"Yes, I have, Bess; it seems difficult to get a word out of him."
"What do you suppose to be the cause?"
"Well, I have thought at times he was in love with that girl of Russell's."
"And if he is, I can't see the reason for his going about moping as he appears to be doing."
"Nor can I; although I know how hard it is to understand the goings on of two people in love."
"I'm sure it's not because there is any difficulty on her side. She is quite as much in love with him as ever he is with her. It's a case where the man has only got to ask to have."
"I wonder whether he has said anything yet to Jessie on the subject?"
"Well, you need not wonder long, for I can tell you that he has not."
"How do you know that, Bess?"