Sanine

"Why do you laugh?"

"Oh! I don't know!--nothing!" replied Yourii nervously, trying to

appear unmoved.

They were both silent as they listened to faint sounds that came to

them through the darkness.

"Have you ever been in love?" asked Sina, suddenly.

"Yes," said Yourii slowly. 'Suppose I tell her?' he thought. Then,

aloud, "I am in love now."

"With whom?" she asked, fearing to hear the answer, while yet certain

that she knew it.

"With you, of course," replied Yourii, vainly assuming playful tone as

he leant forward and gazed into her eyes, that shone strangely in the

gloom. They expressed surprise and expectancy. Yourii longed to embrace

her, yet again his courage failed him, and he pretended to stifle a

yawn.

"He's only in fun!" thought Sina, growing suddenly cool.

She felt hurt at such hesitation on Yourii's part. To keep back her

tears, she clenched her teeth, and in an altered tone exclaimed

"Nonsense!" as she quickly got up.

"I am speaking quite seriously," began Yourii, with unnatural

earnestness. "I love you, believe me, I do, passionately!"

Sina took up her books without saying a word.

"Why, why does he talk like this?" she thought to herself. "I've let

him see that I care, and now he despises me."

Yourii bent down to pick up a book that had fallen.

"It is time to go home," she said coldly. Yourii felt grieved that she

wanted to go just at that moment, but he thought at the same time that

he had played his part quite successfully, and without in the least

appearing commonplace. Then he said, impressively: "Au revoir!"

She held out her hand. He swiftly bent over it and kissed it. Sina

started back, uttering a faint cry: "What are you doing?"

Though his lips had only just touched her soft little hand, his emotion

was so great that he could only smile feebly as she hurried away, and

soon he heard the click of her garden gate. As he walked homewards his

face wore the same silly smile, while he breathed the pure night air,

and felt strong, and glad of heart.