She looked upon him merely as a chum. She had not
changed in the least from that time until now, whereas he--why,
all his world was new for him that morning! Why, he loved her so,
she had become so dear to him, that the very thought of her made
his heart swell and leap.
But he must keep all this to himself. If he spoke to her, told
her of how he loved her, it would spoil and end their
companionship upon the instant. They had both agreed upon that;
they had tried the other, and it had worked out. As lovers they
had wearied of each other; as chums they had been perfectly
congenial, thoroughly and completely happy.
Condy set his teeth. It was a hard situation. He must choose
between bringing an end to this charming comradeship of theirs, or
else fight back all show of love for her, keep it down and under
hand, and that at a time when every nerve of him quivered like a
smitten harp-string. It was not in him or in his temperament to
love her calmly, quietly, or at a distance; he wanted the touch of
her hand, the touch of her cool, smooth cheek, the delicious aroma
of her breath in his nostrils her lips against his, her hair and
all its fragrance in his face
"Condy, what's the matter?" Blix was looking at him with an
expression of no little concern. "What are you frowning so about,
and clinching your fists? And you're pale, too. What's gone
wrong?"
He shot a glance at her, and bestirred himself sharply.
"Isn't this a jolly little corner?" he said.
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