“You know I haven’t been brought up like other girls.”
“Just like thousands of other sweet country girls, darling.”
“You know what I mean,” she murmured, not pettishly, but with angelic forbearance. “I mean about you. Most girls aren’t tied to a man as I have been.”
“You could have broken your bonds at any time.”
“So you have told me,” she said, with the faintest flash of indignation; “but how could I? Had I no gratitude?—and I don’t like the boys at home. They are not as clever as you.”
He suppressed a delighted chuckle.
“And I expect some day that I shall get to be very fond of you—very fond, ’Steban.”
“Heaven hasten the day,” he muttered.
“But, ’Steban, if I take my own way about it the day will come quicker.”
“Then take it by all means, darling.”