"Because," she flushed guiltily,—"because it will be very much pleasanter than remaining here alone."
Whereupon the woman in the mirror ceased her questioning.
And, in the meanwhile, the relentless old clock was goading Donaldson. Its methodical, interminable ticking sounded like the approaching footsteps of a jailer towards the death cell.
"Don't you know better than to risk yourself out there one whole spring-time day with her?" it demanded.
"But with a full realization of the danger I can guard myself," he answered uneasily.
"Can you guard her?"
"That is unpardonable presumption," replied Donaldson heatedly.
"The mellow sun and the birthing flowers are ever presumptuous," answered the wise old clock.
"But a man may fight them off."
"I have ticked here many years and seen many things that man has prided himself upon having the power to do and yet has failed of doing."