“You darling!” said Geoffrey, jumping in with legs all covered with snow. He left the door open wide, and had taken four or five kisses at the least before she could stop him. “The moon was out for a while,” he continued, “and the snow stopped. So I came a long way round-about, that my tracks should not be seen. That’s good strategy.”
But this strange young lady said no word, and looked at him as if she were going to cry.
“Why, what’s the matter, dear?” he asked.
“Oh, Geoffrey! I have been deceiving papa so.”
“Pooh! It’s not to be thought of.”
“But I can’t help thinking. I never supposed I could do so. And it comes so terribly easy. And I’m not a bit clever when I’m good. And—oh!” She covered her face and turned away from him.
“Stuff and nonsense!” Geoffrey broke out. “Do be reasonable. Here is a dragon. Isn’t there?”
“Yes.”
“And everybody wants to get rid of him?”
“Yes.”