"May I conclude, apart from that, you like me?" he asked. "Answer me; answer me!"
"I don't dislike you," she replied helplessly.
"That's something to go on with. But if I'd known you were going to throw yourself away on farmers, I'd have hung after you myself. Even I am better than that."
"Thanks. I can do without your assistance," she remarked.
"You think I didn't come near you all this time because I didn't care?"
"I don't think I thought at all about it."
"If you didn't, I did. I was longing, I dare not say how much, to see you again."
"Why didn't you?" she asked.
"For once in my life, I've tried to go straight."
"What do you mean?"