"You soon have enough of me," he grumbled. "Somebody must be the first to stop." "But you do love me, don't you?" "Not always in the same way." "You do! You do! I know it now!" "Then why worry? ... Come, it's a long way back. We can talk as we go." "But wait a minute, Pen. No, I won't touch you if you don't want me to ... I want to tell you something. Oh, if I could only tell you right! ... What this wonderful thing means to me!" "Sh! Dearest! It can't be told. It simply can't!" "But I must try." "You're not sorry then that you told me?" "No, by God! I don't deserve this ... but I'm not sorry. That was just childish pride ... If you really are the better man of the two I might as well make up my mind to it!" Pen laughed. "But I'm not! ... Oh, my tongue is quicker than yours. I can tangle you all up in words. But you have a simplicity! I sit at your feet!" "Pen!" "Come on, I shouldn't have told you that! ... Come on, I feel as light as air, now!" She whirled around and gave his elbows a little squeeze. "Isn't it blessed to be relieved of that horrible constraint that lay on us." She was off ahead again. "I can say whatever I like to you now without thinking ... I expect I'll shock you sometimes. I'm no lady!" "I guess I can stand it," he said grinning. Pen had a hundred questions to ask as they went. The most trifling details of his childhood were important to her. "Have you any photographs of yourself as a child?" she asked eagerly. "How I should love them!" "All ages," he said lightly. Suddenly his voice became embittered. "I suppose they're in the hands of the police." "We'll get them back!" said Pen confidently. He stopped in the path. "Good God, Pen! _What is before us_? I had forgotten it!" "You are going to clear yourself." "But if I shouldn't be able to?" "Whatever happens to you, I share it," she said quickly. "But I've got to take care of you!" Ignoring this, she resumed her questions. Gradually she drew him back into a lighter mood. "Haven't you any brothers and sisters, Don?" "No, I was an only child." "I, too. It's unnatural. I mean to have four." He pulled her to him. "Oh, my Pen!" he said a little hoarsely. "My heart almost stops beating at the thought!" She freed herself. "Bear!" she said. "I didn't invite you to assist me in bringing up my family!" "You've got to have some assistance," he said wickedly. She changed the subject. "I suppose you've been in love dozens of times," she said. "Not like this. Flirtations." "Oh, the last time is always the only time," she said mockingly. "Well, how about yourself?" he parried. "Not a flirtation!" said Pen ruefully. "Not the least little bit of a one. Only dreams." "The men were afraid of you," said Don sagely. "It takes courage to make up to a girl like you." "Conceit!" said Pen ... "Tell me about your flirtations." "I forget," he said warily. "Well, the first one. You couldn't forget that."