"You poor child! Don't mind what she says. I want you to love me, if you
can."
"I like you thoroughly, Bob White."
"Is that all?"
"That's all--I'm sorry," she answered gravely. "To marry a man, and not
to love him, would be--horrible."
All the chivalry in Fessenden's nature stirred at her words. His
clenched hands sank to the wrists in the soft sand, and his voice shook
a little as he answered:
"Not if--if we marry, and still remain only--friends."