"You are not so much lonely now I think," murmured Nahnya.
Kitty jumped up. "You must be hungry!" she cried. "I'm forgetting my duties!"
"Not an hour ago I ate," said Nahnya. "I am not hungry."
Kitty developed a great flow of small talk, about the weather, about her brothers, about everything except what was in both their minds. Nahnya let her run on. Under her friend's quiet, kind smile Kitty broke down at last, and running to her, dropped beside her again, and hid her hot face on the dark girl's shoulder.
"Oh, Annie!" she breathed on a trembling, rising inflection.
"Tell me," whispered Nahnya.
"Oh, Annie! It's so strange! I can't! I didn't want to tell you anything. I wanted you to see him, and—and to guess! I have lost myself completely! I am turned inside out! It came so suddenly. I never guessed anything like this! Oh, Annie! He's so strong, so kind, so mysterious, so clever, so dangerous! I am terrified of him. I am wretched when he is out of my sight for a minute!"
Nahnya's face became grave. "Has he said anything?" she whispered.
"Not yet."
"Oh, Kitty dear!" murmured Nahnya. "Be careful! Men——!"