When Willoughby caught hold of her chilly little ringless hand, she made no movement of withdrawal.
He looked down at her and laughed again. “What an odd little thing you are! I don’t believe you’ve ever been kissed, have you?”
She was silent.
“Has anybody ever made love to you, now?”
“Yes,” she said defiantly and untruly.
He laughed quite openly, and declared, “I don’t believe it!”
Still laughing, he put his hand under her chin, tilting up her face, and kissed her.
II
Hal Willoughby’s careless parting kiss remained the only one that Adela was destined to receive.
For ten years more she lived with her mother, and heard her say proudly to other mothers, coming with the news of Mollie’s engagement, or Dolly’s beautiful new baby: