“Yes, sir.”
“You are taller than I am, and more beautiful than ever.”
No answer, but a blush.
“You are not angry with me for speaking to you?”
“No, sir.”
“I wouldn't offend you.”
“I am not offended. Only—”
“Oh, Miss Bassett, of course I know you will never be—we shall never be—like we used.”
A very deep blush, and dead silence.
“You are a grown-up young lady, and I am only a boy still, somehow. But it would have been hard if I might not even speak to you. Would it not?”