other 'without pre liminaries.' To be able to do that is a great
deal."

"It is a relief to say things, isn't it?"

"It is better than writing them, though that is pleasant, after its
kind."

"I have never tried writing--as we talk. There's a good deal of vanity
at the bottom of it though, I believe."

"Of course. But vanity is a kind of virtue, too." He leaned over towards
her, dropping his arms on his knees and holding her look. "I am very
glad that I met you. I intended only staying here over night, but--"

"But I interested you in a way--you see, I am vain enough to think that.
Well, you also interested me, and I urged my aunt to press you to stay.
It has been very pleasant, and when you go it will be very humdrum
again; our conversation, mustering, rounding-up, bullocks, and rabbits.
That, of course, is engrossing in a way, but not for long at a time."

He did not stir, but went on looking at her. "Yes, I believe it has been
pleasant for you, else it had not been so pleasant for me. Honestly, I
don't believe I shall ever get you out of my mind."

"That is either slightly rude or badly expressed," she said. "Do you
wish, then, to get me out of your mind?"

"No, no----You are very keen. I wish to remember you always. But what I
felt at the moment was this. There are memories which are always passive
and delightful. We have no wish to live the scenes of which they are
over again, the reflection is enough. There are others which cause us to
wish the scenes back again, with a kind of hunger; and yet they won't or
can't come back. I wondered of what class this memory would be."

The girl flushed ever so slightly, and her fingers clasped a little
nervously, but she was calm. Her voice was even; it had, indeed, a
little thrilling ring of energy. "You are wonderfully daring," she
replied, "to say that to me. To a school-girl it might mean so much: to
me--!" She shook her head at him reprovingly.

He was not in the least piqued. "I was absolutely honest in that. I said
nothing but what I felt. I would give very much to feel confident one
way or the other--forgive me, for what seems incredible egotism. If I
were five years younger I should have said instantly that the memory
would be one--"

"Which would disturb you, make you restless, cause you to neglect your
work, fill you with regret; and yet all too late--isn't that it?" She
laughed lightly and gave a lump of sugar to the cockatoo.

"You read me accurately