The man laughed aloud as the mischievous boy would have laughed.
But the woman, with flaming cheeks, caught the twig from his hand and threw it into the creek. "If you are not good, I shall call auntie," she threatened.
At which he looked ruefully toward the porch and became very serious.
"Do you know that I am going away to-morrow?" he asked.
"And leave your paradise for your dear public?" she said mockingly.
"The public will be glad."
"And you, will you care?"
"I'm going back to my work, too, next week," she replied.
"But will you care to-morrow?" he persisted.
The woman's fingers, busy with the daisy chain, trembled.
The man, when she still did not answer his question, arose and, picking up his hat and her sewing, held out his hand.
She looked up into his face questioningly.