"Yes, very, thanks. You comfortable here?"
On they walked, in silence. Gradually their embarrassment left them and gave place to a sort of awe. Something was going to happen, something great and wonderful; they no longer doubted it nor felt any fear. But—all in good time!
It must be coming soon, though, to judge by the way it kept pressing down on them. Good time? Heavens, there never was any time but the present moment, never would be any....
"Beatrice," said James, staring hard at the ground in front of him, "I know now how wicked I've been. Do you think you can ever forgive me?"
"Why, James," said Beatrice gently, "dear James, there's nothing to forgive."
Then he looked up and saw there were tears on her cheeks....
Yes, right there in the open road!
CHAPTER XVI
REINSTATEMENT OF A SCHÖNE SEELE