He said this pleadingly, because his heart was filled with sorrow for his darling. Suddenly she burst into tears, and the curly head dropped upon his arm and the child wept heartily.
After that there was more sympathy between them.
Annie went back to school with a heavy heart. She knew that she was keeping a weighty secret from her father.
With her hands to her face and tears in her eyes, she stepped from the train.
A young man, handsome, clever and spirited-looking came to meet her.
“Why, darling, have you been crying, and why? Did you not know that you were coming to your sweetheart, and that he would care for you?”
“Aye, dear heart, I know,” sobbed the girl, “but I had to lie to my father, and I love him so dearly, Victor.”
“I know that, dearest, but we are going to tell him just as soon as we are married. I cannot wait any longer.”
Oh, Annie Benson, beloved of your father, had you only told your handsome lover that you would rather wait until your parent had given his consent, how much better your life would have been, but, woman-like, you could not refuse the man you love.
“I wanted to wait,” murmured she softly.