Fifteen minutes past one, Janet calculated.
They took the diagonal walk to the crossing of South and East University Avenues. Her room was in the second house from the corner, on the former street.
He seemed of a sudden to perceive where they were, for, looking about him, he said: "Janet, it is something I must tell you for your own sake. And when I'm through, you can say to me what you think; it won't hurt."
A step and they were at her home.
"Can't you sit here on the porch a few minutes?" he asked; "I shan't keep you long."
With sudden anger she replied:—
"John, if you don't speak out at once what you have to say, I shall go in immediately. You've said again and again that there is something you must tell me; why don't you? Couldn't you see; can't you see now that I haven't begged you to tell because it seems to pain you."
"It does," he exclaimed, "you can't know how it pains me." He looked down at her where she sat on the step and into her uplifted face.
"What is it?" she asked calmly, now.
He sat beside her.