And I told him I _did_ love him, I loved him dearly, and I had loved to be with him this summer, and that I'd stay his whole six months with him next year if he wanted me to.
He shook his head at that; but he did look happy and pleased, and said I'd never know how glad he was that I'd said that, and that he should prize it very highly--the love of his little daughter.

He said you never knew how to prize love, either, till you'd lost it; and he said he'd learned his lesson, and learned it well.

I knew then, of course, that he was thinking of Mother and the long ago.

And I felt so sorry for him.
"But I'll stay--I'll stay the whole six months next year!" I cried again.
But again he shook his head.
"No, no, my dear; I thank you, and I'd love to have you; but it is much better for you that you stay in Boston through the school year, and I want you to do it.

It'll just make the three months I do have you all the dearer, because of the long nine months that I do not," he went on very cheerfully and briskly; "and don't look so solemn and long-faced.