"I may be at home for Christmas," she said. "I'll see you then."
Merriam considered this painfully.
"No," he said at last slowly. "I shan't be there. I shall be away for the holidays."
"You could stay over," said Mollie June, wonderingly reproachful.
"I suppose I could. But I mustn't. Just to see you--publicly, is too hard on me. And if I see you alone like this,--I say things I oughtn't to--make love to you."
Mollie June sat drooping, with downcast eyes, her cup in her lap.
Suddenly he was on his knees beside her. He put his arms about her, to the great peril of flowered china.
"Mollie June!" he whispered. He softly kissed her cheek.
She raised her eyes and looked deep into his.
"John!" she whispered back, though she seemed to struggle not to do so.