“Well?” she whispered.

“Do you care anything about—­me?”

Clemency nodded, still keeping her face averted.

“That means—­”

Clemency said nothing.

“That means you love me,” James whispered.

Clemency nodded again.  Then she turned her head slowly, and gave him a narrow blue glance, and smiled like a shy child.

“I was afraid—­” she began.

“Afraid of what, dear?” James put his arm about the girl, and the ashe-blonde head dropped on his shoulder.

“Afraid you—­didn’t.”

“Afraid I didn’t care?”

Clemency nodded against his breast.

“I think I must have cared all the time, only at first, when I saw your mother—­”

Clemency raised her head immediately and gave it an indignant toss.  “There,” said she.  “I knew it.  Very well, if you would rather be my stepfather, you can, only I think you would be a pretty one, no older, to speak of, than I am, and I know my mother wouldn’t have you anyway.  The idea of your thinking that my mother would get married again anyway, and especially to you,” Clemency said witheringly.  She sat up straight and looked at James.  “I wish your father were a widower, then I would marry him the minute he asked me,” said she, “and see how you would like it.  I guess you would have a step-mother who would make you walk chalk.”  Clemency tossed her head again.  Then she gave a queer little whimsical glance at James, and both of them burst out laughing, and she was in his arms again, and he was kissing her.  “There, that is enough,” said she presently.  “I once wore out a doll I had kissing her.  She was wax, and it was warm weather, and I actually did wear that doll out.  The color all came off her cheeks, and she got soft.”

“You are not a doll, darling,” said James fervently, and he would have kissed her again, but she pushed him away.  “No,” said she, “I know the color won’t come off my cheeks, but I might get soft like that doll.  One can never tell.  You must stop now.  I want to talk to you.  It is all right about my mother.”

“It was only because I never saw such a woman in all my life before,” said James.  “I never thought of marrying.”

“You would have had to take it out in thinking,” said Clemency, “but it is all right.  I think myself that my mother is the most wonderful woman that ever lived.  I think the old Greek goddesses must have looked just like her.  I don’t wonder you felt so about her.  I don’t know as I should have thought much of you if you hadn’t.  Why, everybody falls down and worships her.  Of course I know that I am nothing compared to her.  I should be angry if you really thought so.”

“I don’t think so in one way,” James said honestly.  “I don’t think you are as beautiful as your mother, but I love you, Clemency.”

“Well, that will do for me,” said Clemency.  “No, you need not kiss me again.  I think myself I shall make you a better wife than a stepdaughter.  You need not think for one minute that I would have minded you as I do Uncle Tom.”