Victoria was conquered.
"Will you take her then?" she asked.
"Yes," he answered, "that's what it will come to." But as Victoria was really moved he added: "But maybe I'll come back some time. I might come up to earth for a trip again."
"Well, but don't bring her with you then," she begged. "Why should you bring her with you?"
"No, I could come by myself, I dare say."
"Will you promise me that?"
"Oh yes, I can promise that. But what does it matter to you? I can't expect you to care."
"You mustn't say that, do you hear?" answered Victoria. "I'm certain she isn't so fond of you as I am."
A glow of rapture thrilled his young heart. He could have sunk into the earth from joy and bashfulness at her words. He dared not look at her, he looked away. Then he picked up a stick off the ground, scraped off its bark and hit himself on the hand with it. At last he began to whistle in his embarrassment.
"Well, I shall have to be going home," he said.