te as now
going forward almost visibly from day to day: he had risen so far
already and was still so young.

He did not reply to her greeting except with a look. In matters which
involved his feeling for her, he was habitually hampered and ill at
ease; only on general subjects did she ever see him master of his
resources. Gabriella had fallen into the habit of looking into his eyes
for the best answers: there he always spoke not only with ideas but
emotions: a double speech much cared for by woman.

They seated themselves on opposite sides of the wide deep fire-place: a
grate for soft coal had not yet destroyed that.

"Your schoolhouse is safe," he announced briefly.

"Oh, I've been wanting to know all day but had no one to send! How do
YOU know?" she inquired quickly.

"It's safe. The yard will have to be cleared of brush: that's all."

She looked at him gratefully. "You are always so kind!"

"Well," observed David, with a great forward stride, "aren't you?"

Gabriella, being a woman, did not particularly prize this remark: it
suggested his being kind because she had been kind; and a woman likes
nothing as reward, everything as tribute.

"And now if the apple trees are only not killed!" she exclaimed
joyously, changing the subject.

"Why the apple trees?"

"If you had been here last spring, you would have understood. When they
bloom, they are mine, I take possession." After a moment she added:
"They bring back the recollection of such happy times--springs long
ago. Some time I'll tell you."

"When you were a little girl?"

"Yes."

"I wish I had known you when you were a little girl," said David, in an
undertone, looking into the fire.

Gabriella reflected how impossible this would have been: the thought
caused her sharp pain.

Some time later, David, who had appeared more and more involved in some
inward struggle, suddenly asked a relieving question:--

"Do you know the first time I ever saw you?"

She did not answer at once.

"In the smoke-house," she said with a ripple of laughter. Gabriella,
when she was merry, made one, think of some lovely green April hill,
snow-capped.

David shook his head slowly. His eyes grew soft and mysterious.

"It was the first time _I_ ever saw YOU," she protested.

He continued to shake his head, and she looked puzzled.

"You saw me once before that, and smiled at me."

Gabriella seemed incredulous and not well pleased.

After a little while David began i