"That depends upon yourself as well as upon me."
"I do not forget that. I am not quick to read and you are written in many languages."
"Are you fond of the study--of languages? Did you succeed in French?"
"Fairly. And I can express my wants in German. Will you write to me again?"
There was a flush now that was not sunburn; but she did not speak; she seemed to be considering.
"Will you, Marjorie?" he urged, with gentle persistence.
"I have not thought about it for so long. Let me see--what kind of letters did you write. Were they interesting?"
"_Yours_ were interesting. Were you hurt because--"
It happened so long ago that she smiled as she looked up at him.
"I have never told you the reason. I thought Morris Kemlo had a prior claim."
"I am ignorant of what you could hear or see. Morris was my twin-brother; he was my blessing; he _is_ my blessing."
"Oh, yes; it doesn't matter. But see that sumach. I have not seen anything so pretty this summer; mother must have them. You wouldn't think it, but she is very fond of wild flowers."
She stepped aside to pluck the sumach and sprays of goldenrod; they were growing beside a stone wall, and she crossed the road to them. He stood watching her. She was as unconscious as the goldenrod herself.
What had her mother meant? Was it all a mistake? Had his wretched days and wakeful nights been for nothing? Was there nothing for him to be grieved about? He knew now how much he loved her--and she? He was not a part of her life, at all. Would he dare speak the words he had planned to speak?
"Then, Marjorie, you will not write to me," he began afresh, after admiring the sumach.
"Oh, yes, I will! If you want to! I love to write letters; and my life isn't half full enough yet. I want new people in it."
"And you would as readily take me as another," he said, in a tone that she did not understand.
"More readily than one whom I do not know. I want you to hear extracts from one of Mrs. Holmes' delicious letters to-night."
"That is what mother told me, only she did not specify the bird. Morris, I _am_ happier than I was Sunday morning."
He colored over the name. She smiled and said, "I've been thinking about him to-day, and wanting to tell him how changed I am."