He was sick and mad with longing: he wanted her
as a man dying of thirst wants the water that will save his life.
"Oh, Mr. Dale, how you hev made me jump!"
At sight of him she dropped the flowers and raised one of her hands to
press it against her breast. She had been so startled that she still
breathed fast, almost pantingly; but her lips were smiling, and her
eyes shone with pleasure.
"Now look here, Norah; this won't do--no, really this won't do." He
had taken his hands out of his pockets and clasped them behind his
back. He too was breathing fast, though he spoke deliberately and
rather thickly. "No, all this sort of thing won't do; it can't be
allowed;" and he laid his right hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry," she said, watching his face intently.
"You mustn't go and moon about by yourself, like this. You know you
mustn't, don't you?"
"Yes, I know. But I couldn't stay indoors."
He had slid his hand downward, and was holding her arm above the
elbow. "It is very disobedient. Often and often Mrs. Dale has told you
that you mustn't come here."
"I know," she said humbly.
"So now, you see, I am sent to fetch you--and to tell you that you
mustn't do it." He was struggling hard to speak in his ordinary tone
of voice, but failing.
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