"Make so many promises—plans. I—am afraid of promises."
He turned very red: "What on earth have I done to you!"
"Nothing—yet."
"Yes I have! I once made you unhappy; I made you distrust me—"
"No:—that is all over now. Only—if it happened again—I should really—miss you—very much—C. Bailey, Junior.... So don't promise me too much—now.... Promise a little—each time you come—if you care to."
In the silence that grew between them the alarm went off with a
startling clangour that brought them both to their feet.
It was midnight.
"I set it to wake myself before my sisters came in," she explained with a smile. "I usually have something prepared for them to eat when they've been out."
"I suppose they do the same for you," he said, looking at her rather steadily.