"May I say a few words to you?" he asked.
Not knowing what was in her mind, he felt surprised at her conventional reply.
"I suppose so, if you wish to do so."
Her voice seemed to roll back time. Yet he guessed her to be less indifferent than her words implied.
He dismounted and walked beside her.
"I dare say you can understand a little what I feel, when I see that child run away whenever he sets eyes on me," he began; but she did not help him. His voice to her ear was changed. It had grown deeper and hardened. It was more monotonous and did not rise and fall as swiftly as of old.
"I don't know at all what you feel about him. I didn't know that you felt anything about him."
This was a false note and he felt pained.
"Indeed, Sabina, you know very well I want his friendship—I need it even. Before anything I wish to befriend him."
"You can't help him. He's a very affectionate child and loves me dearly.
You wouldn't understand him. He's all heart."