The gloom of his appearance, so unusual to him, gave her a presage of
misfortune. She followed him into the room of dental appliances.

He told her to sit down, and she did so. She sat on a stiff sofa against
the wall. He stood with one elbow on the back of the adjustable chair.
Behind him hung a green rep curtain, which screened a table at which he
did mechanical work. They were a handsome pair. The summer morning
filled the room with light, and revealed no flaw in their young
comeliness.

"Look here! It's January, February, March"--he went on enumerating the
months till he came to August--"that I've been hanging on here for no
other earthly reason than to inspire in you the admiration for me that
rises in me for you quite spontaneous."

"Is that all you have to say?"

"Isn't that enough--eight months out of a young man's life?"

"It's not enough to make me waste my time at this hour in the morning."

"Well, it's _not_ all, but it's what I'm going to say first; so you'll
have to listen to it for my good before you listen to the other for your
own. I've done all I could, Miss White, to win your affection."

He paused, looking at her, but she did not even look at him. She did
appear frightened, and, perceiving this, he took a tone more gentle and
pliant.

"I can't think why you won't keep company with me. I'm a real lovable