But Louis would not lose his diagnostic eye.
"But didn't you know before?" he persisted.
"No. Do you think I'd have been such a selfish hog as to keep it to
myself?"
"But you've read biology--you ought to have known how things happen."
"Oh, bother biology! Who ever thought of biology meaning themselves? I
didn't, anyway. I never think things in books refer to me. Fancy a
skeleton meaning oneself! Mustn't a skeleton feel immodest? Louis, when
I'm dead, do find some way of disintegrating me, will you? I couldn't
bear to look as immodest as a skeleton does."
After awhile she became quiet, but still bubbling over with
irrepressible happiness. Louis was unusually gentle as they sat talking
in whispers as though afraid the stars would hear their secret as they
came out one by one and looked at them.
"I can't believe it, yet," he said at last.
"Don't worry, then. You will soon enough. Louis--how long is it?" she
said, puckering her forehead. He made calculations.
"More than six months," he said.
"Oh, what a long time! I don't believe I'll ever be able to wait so long
as that. It's like being told the king is coming--and having to wait six
months. It _is_ a long time to wait till he's ready, isn't it?"
Suddenly he caught at her hand and kissed it. Presently he went
downstairs, leaving her there.
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