On her cheek Aldous saw a single creeping drop--a tear.
In an instant he was at her side.

With a quick movement she brushed the tear away before she faced him.
"I've hurt you," he said, looking her straight in the eyes.

"I've hurt you, and God knows I'm a brute for doing it.

I've treated you as badly as Quade--only in a different way.

I know how I've made you feel--that you've been a nuisance, and have got me into trouble, and that I don't want to have anything more to do with you.