still seated, and drew her to him.

She trembled at his touch, trembled and started away, yet in the end she
yielded.

"Please," she whispered; "please!"

He put his arm round her very gently, yet with determination, making her
stand beside him.

"Why don't you want to go to the Hills?" he said.

"I'd be frightened," she murmured.

"Frightened? Why?"

"I don't know," she said, vaguely.

"Yes, but you do know. You must know.

Tell me." He spoke gently, but the stubborn note was in his voice and
his hold was insistent. "Leave off crying and tell me!"

"I'm not crying," said Puck.

She uncovered her face and looked down at him through tears with a
faintly mischievous smile.

"Tell me!" he reiterated. "Is it because you don't like the idea of
leaving me?"