Again the bells across the Square rang out their chime.The paths were decorously enlivened with family and neighborhood groups, bound churchward;and the rumble of the organ, playing the people into their pews, shook on the air.And Joe knew that he must speak quickly, if he was to say what he had planned to say, before he and Ariel went into the church.
"Ariel?" He tried to compel his voice to a casual cheerfulness, but it would do nothing for him, except betray a desperate embarrassment.
She looked at him quickly, and as quickly away.
"Yes?"
"I wanted to say something to you, and I'd better do it now, I think--before I go to church for the first time in two years!" He managed to laugh, though with some ruefulness, and continued stammeringly: "I want to tell you how much Ilike him--how much I admire him--""Admire whom?" she asked, a little coldly, for she knew.
"Mr.Ladew."
"So do I," she answered, looking straight ahead.
"That is one reason why I wanted you to come with me to-day.""It isn't only that.I want to tell you--to tell you--" He broke off for a second."You remember that night in my office before Fear came in?""Yes; I remember.""And that I--that something I said troubled you because it--it sounded as if I cared too much for you--""No; not too much." She still looked straight ahead.They were walking very slowly."You didn't understand.You'd been in my mind, you see, all those years, so much more than I in yours.
I hadn't forgotten YOU.But to you I was really a stranger--""No, no!" he cried.
"Yes, I was," she said, gently but very quickly.