"Well—I didn't want to interfere."
"You BLESSED Posy-Face! do you know what this MEANS to me? It means that you CARE—"
"No, I DON'T, Bill! I don't care if you like all the girls in the world. Only, you mustn't like them better than you do me."
"As if I COULD like anybody better than I do you!"
"And then we're friends again?"
"Friends!"
"Yes, friends. Don't you want to be friends with me, Little Billee?"
"Apple Blossom, I want to be to you anything and everything that you will let me be."
"Then we will be friends. Chums and comrades and good, GOOD friends."
Patty put a little pink hand out from the big coat sleeve and Bill clasped it in his great warm hand.