"Keep away," she ordered. "Don't touch me."
"Why, what do you mean?" Ben demanded, shrinking back before her steadfast look.
"I mean that I am not going to have anything more to do with you. You can go your way, and I will go mine."
"But I thought you cared for me," the man replied in surprise.
"Haven't I told you over and over again that I did not? But you would persist in coming here, nevertheless."
"Do you mean what you say?" Ben asked, while a surly expression leaped into his eyes.
"Yes, I mean every word. You had better go now, as it will be no use for you to say anything more."
"Why didn't you tell me this before, Nell?"
"I did, plainer than any words."
"Yes, perhaps you did. But why didn't you speak, and tell me so?"