She heard no answer.
"Sometimes I am afraid of what waits for us. And always I love you very, very much. No, no, I am not afraid. I am now the wise woman. Along the road my heart has come I have found the thorny places, but I am learning to tread them with a shrug of pain and to march on where the way opens out. There are aloes in the sweet cake of love; but let us eat, for the spices will forget the aloes. The cook cooks well, but he has not all the ingredients to his hand, and they go hungry who demand only the stars for food." Her arms found his shoulders. Her kisses found his lips.
"What an eloquent little tongue you have, girl! How can I find the words to answer you?"
"Don't talk a minute." But she herself spoke again in a little while.
"Time goes by."
"It does."
"Two years ago we were strangers. We got along without each other. How funny that! What did you find in me to want me? Jim, aren't you ever going to answer to-night?"
There was no answer.
"Friend Jim, do cheer up."
"I'm cheered up. Things are wrong to-day. I don't know why. These things happen sometimes. My fault, no doubt. The bush is a good enough place, girl, but it doesn't do to start thinking there."