"I've wanted it for years," he said.

"Ah!" A little sound like a sob came with the words. She made as if she
would withdraw her hand, but in the end--because he held it closely--she
suffered him to keep it. She spoke with an effort. "I--think you ought to
understand that--that--it is not my wish to marry at all. If--if Jack had
stayed single, I--should have been content to live on here for always."

"Yes, I know," said Hill. "I saw that."

She went on tremulously. "I've always felt--that a woman ought to be able
to manage alone. It's very kind of you to want to marry me. But--but
I--I think I'm getting too old."

"Is that the only obstacle?" asked Hill.

She tried to laugh, but it ended in a sound of tears. She turned her face
quickly aside. "I can't tell you--of any other," she said, with
difficulty, "except--except--"

"Except that you don't like me much?" he suggested dryly. "Well, that
doesn't surprise me."

"Oh, I didn't say that!" She choked back her tears and turned back to
him. "Let's walk a little way together, shall we? I--I'll try and
explain--just how I feel about things."

He moved at once to comply. They walked side by side over the
close-cropped grass. Dot would have slipped her hand free, but still
he kept it.