The Solitary Summer

He slowly brought his gaze from the stars down to me and smiled. Then he drew me on to his knee. "Don't get affectionate," I urged; "it is words, not deeds, that I want. But I'll stay here if you'll talk." "Well then, I will talk. What am I to say? You know you do as you please, and I never interfere with you. If you do not want to have any one here this summer you will not have any one, but you will find it a very long summer." "No, I won't." "And if you lie on the heath all day, people will think you are mad." "What do I care what people think?" "No, that is true. But you will catch cold, and your little nose will swell." "Let it swell." "And when it is hot you will be sunburnt and your skin spoilt." "I don't mind my skin." "And you will be dull." "Dull?"