"Blossom goose?"
"Yes. Blossom goose,—Blossom girl,—Oh, Patty Blossom, how can I make you have a glimmer of a gleam of an idea how I love you!"
"Little Billee! if you give me all your kisses now, what shall we do all the rest of our lives?"
"Poor little Apple Blossom! Am I a big bear? Well, sit beside me here on this cosy sofa place, and I'll tell you what we'll do all the rest of our lives."
And so enchanted was Patty with the plans unfolded for her, that it was more than an hour later that she remembered to ask, "Why did you give Daisy the books you bought for me?"
"Shall I tell you, dear? I told you at the time I had a reason. Because, just then, something in your eyes gave me hope, gave me a tiny hint of hope that you would take my set of Riley books and me along with it!"
"Oh, Little Billee! Did I really throw myself at your head?"
"No, Patty; no, my child, never think for a minute you did that! But you gave me a look that made me feel emboldened to throw myself at your feet. Then you ran away before I could do so."
"Yes, I was afraid you would. How did you know I was here?"
"Didn't know it; but I thought it the most likely place. How the
Kenerleys fooled me! I owe Jim one for that!"