Sidney struck a match and, making a lantern of his hands, turned the light upon her face.
"Oh, Nellie darling! There's a tear upon your cheek!"
"Don't be rude and wicked," she murmured, searching for the gate handle, which she generally found quite easily.
"The beautifullest tear from the loveliest eye in the world!"
"What's wrong with the other eye?" she asked trying to laugh.
"It's still more lovely. Nellie, you are—just Nellie, and that means everything. You shall trust me, and I'll make you love me, if I have to work a thousand times harder than I do on the farm."
"Will you have nothing more to do with Mrs. Stanley?"
"I can't do that."
"You mean she won't give you up!"
"She's the best and kindest lady in the world. But you come first, and that's where you'll be always."