"Because I don't feel well," he returned, with the same smile.
"You really feel ill?" replied the girl, opening her eyes wide with an innocent expression.
"A little."
"Shall I call some one?"
"No; it is your eyes that hurt me."
"Oh, come!" she exclaimed, with a laugh, as if that were of no consequence; "then I will shut them."
"Oh, no; don't shut them, or I shall be much worse."
"Then I will go," she said, rising from her chair.
"That would kill me, my girl! Do you know why I am ill? It is because it kills me not to be able to kiss your eyes."
"Goodness!" exclaimed Venturita, with a burst of laughter. "How bad it must be! I am sorry not to be able to cure you."