Charlie brightened up perceptibly at the alluring prospect. He shut his eyes to the dark path which led to happiness, and was revelling in its glory.
“Ruth, you dear thing! I don’t see how I ever can thank you enough,” he said, taking both my hands in his. “I ought to have stuck to you, that’s what I ought to have done. You would have kept me straight. Do you know, I used to be awfully in love with you. You really were my first love. I was about eighteen then. You don’t look a day older, and you are just as sweet as ever.”
I laughed outright.
“What did I tell you?” I cried. “You can’t help making love to save your life. Your gratitude is getting you into deeper water every minute. Go home, do. Run for your life, or you’ll be engaged to me too. Then who’ll help you out?”
He acted upon my suggestion and went hastily.
Tabby, did you ever? He never was in love with me, never on this earth. Whatever possessed him to say such a thing? He loses his head, that’s what he does. I hope he won’t meet any woman younger than his grandmother before he gets home, or he might propose to her.
My heart stands still when I think of Louise King.