She loves it so--just as if it were her own. It is so nice to see her lick
its little ears. Just look!"
"The clouds are black. I think it is going to rain tonight," said Gregory.
"Yes," answered Em, looking up as well as she could for the little yellow
fringe.
"But I'm sure you must be cold," said Gregory, and put his hand under the
cloak, and found there a small fist doubled up, soft, and very warm. He
held it fast in his hand.
"Oh, Em, I love you better than all the world besides! Tell me, do you
love me a little?"
"Yes, I do," said Em, hesitating, and trying softly to free her hand.
"Better than everything; better than all the world, darling?" he asked,
bending down so low that the yellow hair was blown into his eyes.
"I don't know," said Em, gravely. "I do love you very much; but I love my
cousin who is at school, and Waldo, very much. You see I have known them
so long!"
"Oh, Em, do not talk to me so coldly!" Gregory cried, seizing the little
arm that rested on the gate, and pressing it till she was half afraid. The
herdsman had moved away to the other end of the kraal now, and the cows,
busy with their calves, took no notice of the little human farce. "Em, if
you talk so to me I will go mad! You must love me, love me better than
all! You must give yourself to me. I have loved you since that first
moment when I saw you walking by the stone wall with the jug in your hands.
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