Wych Hazel stood still for a minute after Dingee had gone, then with a slow, grave step went over and placed herself in one of the armchairs. 'Why don't you sit down?' she said. 'It is not good for you to stand.' 'People sit down to rest.' 'Well, as you are tired already, it is the only thing for you to do.' 'I have not gained my cause, and I cannot rest till I do. Bid me rest, Hazel! on that understanding of it.' 'Certainly not,' said Hazel. 'I cannot afford to lose my wits.' 'I am tired of living without you, Wych. Whether you have any sympathy with that feeling I do not ask. I only ask you to consider what regard it fairly deserves.' 'People do not feel apart, unless there is a barrier between,' said Hazel. 'As when you barred me out of Morton Hollow.' 'Inconsistent'—said Dane smiling; 'and weakly delusive. Hazel, you must give me a Christmas gift, and you must let it be that thing which of all others I want the most.' 'If you put it to me what you want,' said Wych Hazel, 'I should say, patience, and moderation, and a little practical common sense.' 'You are not the embodiment of those things,' said he daringly,— 'and yet I want you.' 'Everything that is worth having, is worth waiting for,' said Hazel composedly. 'You have enough of me now to criticize—that ought to content you.' 'Does it content you?' Hazel started up, and went to him, just touching each arm with one of her little hands. 'Olaf,'—she said, 'will you please to sit down—and hush? You know what you promised when I should say that again—' He took her in his arms and kissed her very fondly, and laughed a little; but holding her yet, became serious again. 'I am bound!' he said. 'But the nature of the case obliges me to premise a question or two. Am I not to speak on this subject again till you bid me?' 'No. Yes. That is preposterous. What is your next question?' 'How long must I wait first?' 'Just as long as you can.' 'Till to-morrow, then. Think of it, Hazel.'