Page:Neith Boyce--The bond.djvu/150

148 "You're a lucky girl—don't put your arms up that way, dearest. You know"

"Oh, be quiet, Basil ! I'm so tired of having to think all the time about it!"

"Never mind, dearest, it won't be long, now." He came over to kiss her tenderly.

"Long? Ah, yes it will be—four long months, and then that at the end"

"Dearest, dearest, I wish I could do it for you."

"Yes, you do, you old silly!"

"I do, honestly. I'd like to be a woman for a while—it must be a tremendous experience." "I'm not sure that all brands of experience are desirable."

"Well, you are all the better for all you've had—more interesting, sweeter, more beautiful. You were always pretty, but now you're beautiful."

She smiled pensively.

"And now I must go on, or I shall be late. Good-night, my love. I wish you were going, too."

"Good-night. Don't make love to Mrs. Perry."

She held him close for a moment, kissed his eyelids gently, and let him go with a smile.