"Well, why shouldn't you?" she answered seriously. "I have had the opportunity and the time to learn some things—"
"You can't dismiss your kindness so easily as that."
"Oh, I don't think I have been particularly kind."
"Yes, you have. I admit that. You have."
He took the conversation with such painful seriousness that she was glad to lighten it with a smile.
"If you persist in thinking so, you might feel like rewarding me by coming to see me soon again."
"Yes, yes! I shall come to see you soon again. Certainly. Of course," he added hastily, "it is desirable that I should talk with you more at length about my school."
He was staring at her with a conflict of expressions in which, curiously enough, pained bewilderment seemed uppermost. Sharlee laughed, not quite at her ease.
"Do you know, I am still hoping that some day you will come to see me, not to talk about anything definite—just to talk."
"As to that," he replied, "I cannot say. Good-night."