in having tried to rob Peter of his farewell. The next moment he was
rapidly overtaking the advance-party.

By all conventions there should have been an embarrassing pause after
this extraordinary colloquy, but there was not. When Peter decided to do
a thing, he never faltered in the doing. If making love or declaring it
had been a matter of directness and plain-speaking, Peter would have
been a successful lover. But few girls are won by lovers who carry
business methods and habits of speech into their courtship.

"Miss Pierce," said Peter, "I could not go without thanking you for your
kindness to me. I shall never forget this week."

"I am so glad you have enjoyed it," almost sang Miss Pierce, in her
pleasure at this reward for her week of self-sacrifice.

"And I couldn't go," said Peter, his clear voice suddenly husking,
"without telling you how I love you."

"Love me!" exclaimed Miss Pierce, and she brought the walk again to a
halt, in her surprise.

"Yes," replied Peter simply, but the monosyllable meant more than the
strongest protestations, as he said it.

"Oh," almost cried his companion, "I am so sorry."

"Don't say that," said Peter; "I don't want it to be a sorrow to you."

"But it's so sudden," gasped Miss Pierce.