'
'So there is. Well done, woman's wit!'
'Hold me steady!'
'Oh yes.'
'And don't let me fall, will you?'
'By no means.'
Below their seat the thread of water paused to spread out into a
smooth small pool. Knight supported her whilst she knelt down and
leant over it.
'I can see myself. Really, try as religiously as I will, I cannot
help admiring my appearance in them.'
'Doubtless. How can you be so fond of finery? I believe you are
corrupting me into a taste for it. I used to hate every such
thing before I knew you.'
'I like ornaments, because I want people to admire what you
possess, and envy you, and say, "I wish I was he." '
'I suppose I ought not to object after that. And how much longer
are you going to look in there at yourself?'
'Until you are tired of holding me? Oh, I want to ask you
something.' And she turned round. 'Now tell truly, won't you?
What colour of hair do you like best now?'
Knight did not answer at the moment.
'Say light, do!' she whispered coaxingly. 'Don't say dark, as you
did that time.'
'Light-brown, then. Exactly the colour of my sweetheart's.'
'Really?' said Elfride, enjoying as truth what she knew to be
flattery.
'Yes.'
'And blue eyes, too, not hazel? Say yes, say yes!'
'One recantation is enough for to-day.'
'No, no.'
'Very well, blue eyes.' And Knight laughed, and drew her close and
kissed her the second time, which operations he performed with the
carefulness of a fruiterer touching a bunch of grapes so as not to
disturb their bloom.
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