"Good morning!" said Bill, smiling at me.
I closed my eyes against the look in his. It was beautiful to have him look at me so, but I could not bear it.
"G-Good morning," said I, and felt the hot color flood my face. From the tips of my toes to the roots of my hair I was blushing.
It was very early. The sudden tropical dawn was only a few minutes old. There was a riot of bird-song outside the window, and a wonderful, dew-washed breeze blowing through the room.
"Mavis?" said Bill.
He was on his knees beside the bed. I put out one bandaged hand and clumsily touched his hair.
"Do you know what you've done?" he asked.
"Been a fool, as usual," I suggested, looking ruefully at the bandages.
"Sweet little fool," he said, in that new, deep voice. "Mavis, how could you, you frightened me almost to death—?"
I thought of those leaping flames, the angry, crimson sky, and shuddered.