"So-long!" Peter retorted affably, and Eileen squeezed his arm ever so lightly.
"I want to talk to you all afternoon!" she declared with her adorable smile, when the professor was out of earshot. "Shall we take a car-ride?"
They climbed into the front seat of an open car, and Peter was glad when the girl linked her arm through his and snuggled close to his side.
"I want you to tell me everything from the very beginning," she said with a bright smile. "I want to know why you left me so suddenly in Shanghai. I had a hundred questions to ask. You were mean!"
"You can begin wherever you please," said Peter amiably.
"Then, why," demanded Eileen, giving him a hungry little look, "didn't you let me stay in Shanghai?"
"Because I was in love with you," Peter replied abruptly. "You were in danger. So was I. I wanted to get you out of China as quickly as possible, because, you see, my dear, the man who had his agents kidnap you, and who was having you transported to China on the Vandalia, would have recaptured you without difficulty. Do you mind if I tell you, Eileen, that it broke my heart when I realized that we wouldn't see one another for goodness knows how long a time?"
Eileen glanced pensively at the green lawns and the flower-gardens which flowed past the car, and her eyes returned to his face with a question in them. Her hand snuggled into his.
"Tell me the truth, Peter. You thought I was just an innocent, helpless little thing, now didn't you? You said to yourself, 'I'll get myself into all sorts of trouble with her on my hands.' Didn't you say that to yourself, Peter?"
"I did. You're right. You were not made for that place. If you'll let me, I'll tell you what you were made for."