"Now!"
"You've gone the shortest way to 'buck' me up."
Thus encouraged, Mavis made further efforts to captivate Perigal, and persuade him to fulfill the desire of her heart. Now, he was constantly about her on any and every excuse, when he would either kiss her or caress her hair. After dinner, they sat by the fire, where they drank coffee and smoked cigarettes. Presently, Perigal slipped on the ground beside her, where he leaned his head against her knee, while he fondled one of her feet. Her fingers wandered in his hair.
"Like old times, sweetheart!" he said,
"Is it?" she laughed.
"It is to me, little Mavis. I love you! I love you! I love you!"
Mavis's heart leapt. Life held promise of happiness after all.
"What have you arranged about tonight?" he asked, after a few moments' silence.
"Nothing unusual. Why?"
"Must you go back?"