The fingers crept about her slender wrist and clung feebly. “I thought I’d lost you forever,” he muttered.
The gentle stroke continued.
“That was foolish, Alexis.” Her voice was barely audible.
“You sent me from you in anger,” he insisted mournfully.
Anne shook her head, smiling at him with reproach.
“Oh no, you were mistaken. I never sent you away. It was you who never came to see me again, or called me up! What was I to think or do? In a case like that a woman cannot, does not, want to take the initiative. Besides, I didn’t even have your address.”
The searching eyes had not left her face for a moment, and as she concluded, they kindled hungrily.
“Did you really want me to come back?” The question was an entreaty.
“Of course, foolish one. I was awfully worried about you.” She laughed softly. “But now I must go. Your nurse will be dragging me out in another minute. And we must obey orders.”
“Oh, don’t go, don’t go!” He flushed deeply. “Promise me you will stay?” Sitting up in bed, he clasped both arms about her shoulders and buried his burning face in her neck.