VI + 

Yet, the very next day, paradoxically enough, she told me: + 

“I shall always think of you as a very, very dear friend. But it is quite impossible we should ever be anything else.” + 

“And why, Avis?” + 

“Because⁠—” + 

“That”⁠—after an interval⁠—“strikes me as rather a poor reason. So, suppose we say this June?” + 

Another interval. + 

“Well, Avis?” + 

“Dear me, aren’t those roses pretty? I wish you would get me one, Mr. Townsend.” + 

“Avis, we are not discussing roses.” + 

“Well, they are pretty.” + 

“Avis!”⁠—reproachfully. + 

Still another interval. + 

“I⁠—I hardly know.” + 

“Avis!”⁠—with disappointment. + 

“I⁠—I believe⁠—” + 

“Avis!”⁠—very tenderly. + 

“I⁠—I almost think so⁠—and the horrid man looks as if he thought so, too!” + 

There was a fourth interval, during which the girl made a complete and careful survey of her shoes. + 

Then, all in a breath, “It could not possibly be June, of course, and you must give me until tomorrow to think about November,” and a sudden flutter of skirts. + 

I returned to Gridlington treading on air. + 