I'm fond of a country life myself, but I'll adapt myself
to you in everything reasonable."
"You are mistaken, Mr. Spooner; you are indeed."
"How mistaken?"
"I mean that it is altogether out of the question. You have surprised
me so much that I couldn't stop you sooner; but pray do not speak of
it again."
"It is a little sudden, but what is a man to do? If you will only
think of it--"
"I can't think of it at all. There is no need for thinking. Really,
Mr. Spooner, I can't go on with you. If you wouldn't mind turning
back I'll walk into the village by myself." Mr. Spooner, however, did
not seem inclined to obey this injunction, and stood his ground, and,
when she moved on, walked on beside her. "I must insist on being left
alone," she said.
"I haven't done anything out of the way," said the lover.
"I think it's very much out of the way. I have hardly ever spoken to
you before. If you will only leave me now there shall not be a word
more said about it."
But Mr. Spooner was a man of spirit. "I'm not in the least ashamed of
what I've done," he said.
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