But, my poor journal, you can't stand any more such stuff, can you?
But tell me one thing, am I Katy or am I Kate?
Chapter 10
X
APRIL 20.
YESTERDAY I felt better than I have done since the accident. I ran
about the house quite cheerily, for me. I wanted to see mother for
something, and flew singing into the parlor, where I had left her
shortly before. But she was not there, and Dr. Elliott was. I started
back, and was about to leave the room, but he detained me.
"Come in, I beg of you," he said, his voice grow mg hoarser and
hoarser. "Let us put a stop to this."
"To what?" I asked, going nearer and nearer, and looking up into his
face, which was quite pale.
"To your evident terror of being alone with me, of hearing me speak.
Let me assure you, once for all, that nothing would tempt me to annoy
you by urging myself upon you, as you seem to fear I may be tempted
to do. I cannot force you to love me, nor would I if I could. If you
ever want a friend you will find one in me. But do not think of me as
your lover, or treat me as if I were always lying in wait for a
chance to remind you of it. That I shall never do, never."
"Oh, no, of course not!" I broke forth, my face all in a glow, and
tears of mortification raining down my cheeks. "I knew you did not
care for me I! knew you had got over it!"
I don't know which of us began it, I don't think he did, and I am
sure I did not, but the next moment I was folded all up in his great
long arms, and a new life had begun!
Mother opened the door not long after, and seeing what was going on,
trotted away on her dear feet as fast as she could.
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