"I—don't—know. I loved your letters. There didn't seem to be any room in my heart for more affection than it held for you. I adored you. I do now. Perhaps, if you had come back——"
"I wish I had!"
"Do you?" She lifted her eyes to him curiously. "You know, Jim, I must be honest with you. I never did love anybody.... But, if you had come home—and if you had told me that you cared for me—that way——"
"Yes."
"Well, I was just a girl. You had my affections. I could have been taught very easily, I think—to care—differently——"
"And—now?"
"What?"
"Is it too late to teach you, Steve?"
"Why, yes. Isn't it?"
"Why?"