Calm and restful she seemed, yet when he extended his free hand and took hers, he felt a tremor in her touch that delighted his heart. He brought it to his lips. "I've been needing you all the morning. Aunt Sally has done everything--all she could. If I should let you have this hand again, would you go so far away from me that I could not reach you?" "Not if you want me near." "Then put away your sewing and bring your chair close to me, and let us talk together while we may." She obeyed and sat looking away from him out through the open door. Were her eyes searching for the mountain top? "You have thoughts--sweet, big thoughts, dear girl; put them in words for me now, while we are so blessedly alone." "I can't say rightly what I think. Seems like if I had some other way--something besides words to tell my thoughts with, I could do it better; but words are all we have--and seems like when I want them most they won't come." "That's the way with all of us. Don't you see you are still beyond my reach? Come. If you can't tell your thoughts in words, give them by the touch of your hands as you did a moment ago." She did as he bade her and, leaning forward, took his hand in both her own. "That's right. I'll teach you how to tell your thoughts without words. Now, how came you to find us the other day?" "I don't know myself. It was a strange way. First I rode down to Teasley's Mill to--to try to persuade them--Giles Teasley--to allow him to go free." She paused and put her hand to her throat, as her way was. "I think, Doctor Thryng, I'd better build up the fire and get you some hot milk. Doctor Bartlett said you must have it often--and--to keep you very quiet." "Not until you tell me now--this moment--what I ask you. You went to the mill to try to help Frale out of his trouble. Cassandra, have you loved that boy?" Her face assumed its old look of masklike impassivity. "I reckoned he might hold himself steady and do right--would they only leave him be--and give him the chance--" "Cassandra, answer me. Was it for love of him that you gave him your promise?" Her face grew white, and for a moment she bowed her head on his hand. "Please, Doctor Thryng, let me tell you the strange part first, then you can answer that question in your own way." She lifted her head and looked steadily in his eyes. "You remember that day we went to Cate Irwin's? When we came to the place where we can see far--far over the mountains--I laughed--with something glad in my heart. It was the same this time when I got to that far open place. All at once it seemed like I was so free--free from the heavy burden--and all in a kind of light that was only the same gladness in my heart.