“Yes. I’d made up my mind to that.”
“You mustn’t see me away from the theater. You mustn’t
come out here any more.”
“I dare say it’s better that way.”
Her eyes traveled along the leaf-strewn road, then [195] ]up to the sulky sky. And because they were not seeing quite clearly she stumbled and almost fell across a fallen trunk.
The man’s arm went round her, holding the slim body a moment. Then with a conscious tightening of muscles he drew it away and plunged on without a glance at her.
Presently he turned and in the look he gave her was a sort of desperate pleading.
“Is there any harm in telling you just once, Gloria, what you mean to me? I’ve been telling it to myself so long.”
“I—I don’t think you’d better. I—I don’t believe I could listen.”
He looked down. Her eyes, struck with terror, went up to his.