Far from the Madding Crowd

"What for?"

"You may have it again if you like; there it is."

She gave him her hand again.

Oak held it longer this time -- indeed, curiously long.

"How soft it is -- being winter time, too -- not chapped or rough or anything!" he said.

"There -- that's long enough." said she, though without pulling it away "But I suppose you are thinking you would like to kiss it? You may if you want to."

"I wasn't thinking of any such thing." said Gabriel, simply; "but I will"

"That you won't!" She snatched back her hand.

Gabriel felt himself guilty of another want of tact.

"Now find out my name." she said, teasingly; and withdrew.