The unexpectedness of the question sent the color to Marie's face. "I don't know," she said guiltily. "He hasn't been around lately. I liked him so much," she added wistfully.
She looked down at Feathers with thoughtful eyes. He was a big, clumsy figure lying there, and she smiled as she watched him busily tucking the blades of grass into the ribbon of her hat.
"Do you think you are improving it?" she asked suddenly.
He looked up, and their eyes met.
Feathers did not answer. He was clumsily threading up with sudden energy.
"Shall we go on?" he asked, "or would you prefer to stay here?"
"We might stay a little while, don't you think?"
"For ever, if you like!"
She made a little grimace.
"We should hate it if it began to rain."