Page:An orchard princess (IA orchardprincess00barbiala).pdf/77

 answered, promptly. "Only, if I should catch cold and have something serious, like—like hay fever or influenza, you'd reproach yourself, I'm sure."

"Oh, dear!" she sighed, turning again to her canvas. "Stay where you like."

"Thank you," he replied, gratefully. "Shall I—er—half turn my back?"

"I don't care what you do," she answered, bending her head away toward her palette. "Only, if you must stay, perhaps it would be better if you talked."

"I should like it above all things! What shall I talk about?"

"Anything; and please, please try to look somewhere else."

"Well, I will try," he said, in a tone that didn't promise well for