"Sw—eêt, sw—eêt," said the canary in thrilling jubilation.
Her happiness was choking her—she could not speak.
"And we will take the canary, too—unless I say good-bye to you as well."
"Oh no, you mustn't leave us here!"
"And then," he said slowly, "it will not be good-bye—nor good-night.
Do you understand?"
"Yes, yes," she breathed, and her face shone.
"But think, think, Mary Ann," he said, a sudden pang of compunction shooting through his breast. He released her hands. "Do you understand?"
"I understand—I shall be with you, always."
He replied uneasily: "I shall look after you—always."
"Yes, yes," she breathed. Her bosom heaved. "Always."