They had reached the fence. Philip vaulted over to take a short cut
across the fields. He turned and looked at her.
"The best, the sweetest, and most wholesome time any man ever had in
this world," he said. "Elnora, if I talked hours I couldn't make you
understand what a girl I think you are. I never in all my life hated
anything as I hate leaving you. It seems to me that I have not strength
to do it."
"If you have learned anything worth while from me," said Elnora, "that
should be it. Just to have strength to go to your duty, and to go
quickly."
He caught the hand she held out to him in both his. "Elnora, these days
we have had together, have they been sweet to you?"
"Beautiful days!" said Elnora. "Each like a perfect dream to be thought
over and over all my life. Oh, they have been the only really happy days
I've ever known; these days rich with mother's love, and doing useful
work with your help. Good-bye! You must hurry!"
Philip gazed at her. He tried to drop her hand, only clutched it closer.
Suddenly he drew her toward him. "Elnora," he whispered, "will you kiss
me good-bye?"
Elnora drew back and stared at him with wide eyes. "I'd strike you
sooner!" she said. "Have I ever said or done anything in your presence
that made you feel free to ask that, Philip Ammon?"
"No!" panted Philip. "No! I think so much of you I wanted to touch your
lips once before I left you. You know, Elnora----"
"Don't distress yourself," said Elnora calmly.
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