There was a brief silence while Georgiana considered. She had not expected this, certainly not just now, when her long-time friend frankly admitted the drawing power of the winsome visitor. As she had implied, there had been between them, in the days of dawning maturity while they were yet in school together, certain youthfully tender vows which they had later exchanged for the more carefully considered terms of the warm but less sentimental friendship which had now existed for some years. That Stuart was really dearer to her, more a necessary part of her life than she had realized, had been made disconcertingly clear to her by the totally unexpected pangs she had suffered during the last fortnight, when it had seemed to her that she was likely to lose the fine fervor of his devotion. Now, however, that she was assured of his intense loyalty, she was the old Georgiana again, ready to stand beside her friend to the last ditch, if need be, but wholly unwilling to bind herself to his chariot wheels while no ditches threatened. "'Never' is a big word," she said finally. "It isn't best to say 'never' about anything in this life." "Then you won't ask me to say it?" His voice was eager. "Not if you don't want to, Jimps." "I don't. There was never anything surer than that. Give me your hand--chum." She gave it. "All right--chum." He had pulled off his own glove; he now gently drew off hers, and the two warm hands clasped. "Here's our everlasting friendship," he said, with a little thrill in his low voice. "Nothing shall come between us except--love." "Jimps! That's not the old compact at all." "It's the new one then. Isn't it sufficiently ambiguous to suit you?" "It's much too ambiguous." "I can make it plainer----" "Perhaps you'd better leave it as it is," she admitted, recognizing danger. "As you say." He held her hand for a minute in such a close grasp that it hurt her, but she did not wince. Ah! if she might just have this pleasantly satisfying relation with the man whose presence in her life meant warmth and light and even happiness on the hard road of everyday routine, and then have somehow besides the contentment which comes of accomplishment along a line of chosen activity--and still remain free for whatever God in heaven might send her of real joy, she could ask no better. "Jimps, I'm perfectly contented," she said radiantly, as they walked on. "That's good. I wish I were." "What would make you?" "Your promise to earn your money making rugs--with me to help you." "But you couldn't!" "I could learn." "Oh, how absurd! You haven't time, if there were no other reason." He did not answer, and, since they were now back in the village and nearing the object of Georgiana's errand, no more was said until they were once again on their way homeward. They walked in silence until they reached the very doorstep of the manse. Then Stuart made one more protest.