“Silly!” she sobbed. “I don’t wish it. You’re the best fellow I ever knew. Oh, Teddy! I’m so miserable. I’ve made a hash of things with the best intentions in the world. There’s nobody understands me, but you. And you don’t understand altogether.”
“If you’ll give me the cue, I’ll try,” he declared earnestly, leaning towards her and encircling her with his arm. “You know that I’d do anything on earth to please you. Julie, my darling! I love you so, I can’t bear to see you cry.”
She suddenly sat up straighter, and laughed, and dabbed at her eyes.
“I know,” she said. “I know... Oh, goodness! what a scarecrow I must look! And anyone might come along.”
She put up her hands and rearranged her hat.
“Is it straight, Teddy!” she asked.
“Yes,” he answered, and looked her steadily in the eyes.
“My dear, don’t try to deceive me,” he said... “Better hurt my feelings now than later... If it’s the other fellow who wins I’ll go my way.”
“Stupid!” she cried, leaning her wet cheek against his shoulder. “There’s someone else for the other fellow—only he won’t see it.”
“I can’t blame him,” Teddy answered, “when there’s you.”