No wonder you can catch the fish, as when first I saw you.' 'Have I caught you, little fish?
Or must all my life be spent in hopeless angling for you ?' 'Neither one nor the other, John! You have not caught me yet altogether, though I like you dearly John; and if you will only keep away, I shall like you more and more.

As for hopeless angling, John--that all others shall have until I tell you otherwise.' With the large tears in her eyes--tears which seemed to me to rise partly from her want to love me with the power of my love--she put her pure bright lips, half smiling, half prone to reply to tears, against my forehead lined with trouble, doubt, and eager longing.

And then she drew my ring from off that snowy twig her finger, and held it out to me; and then, seeing how my face was falling, thrice she touched it with her lips, and sweetly gave it back to me.

'John, I dare not take it now; else I should be cheating you.

I will try to love you dearly, even as you deserve and wish.