After
they had exhausted the heat as a topic, silence fell upon them. He still
swung his hat in his hand. Once or twice he smote his stick smartly upon
the ground. He timed his pace to hers, keeping close, his eyes upon her
straight slender figure. When they reached the lane they walked together
until they came to the highway, which they followed to the house. An oil
lamp marked the walk that led through Mrs. Owen's flower garden.
"Aren't you coming in, Mr. Bassett?" asked Sylvia, as they paused.
Her hand clicked the latch and the little white-washed gate swung open.
In the lamplight their eyes met again.
"I'm sorry, but I must go home. This is the first time I've been here
this summer, and my stay is short. I must be off again to-morrow."
"Oh, that's too bad! Marian has been telling me that you would stay a
month, she will be terribly disappointed"
"My Western trip took more time than I expected I have a good deal to do
at Fraserville and must get back there"
She stepped inside, thinking he delayed out of courtesy to her, but to
her surprise he fastened the latch deliberately and lingered.
"They tell me you and your grandfather live at Montgomery. It's a
charming town, one of the most interesting in the state."
"Yes, Mr. Bassett. My grandfather taught in the college there."
"I have often heard of Professor Kelton, of course.
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