When she saw me she went into the sitting-room to show that she had not yet forgiven me.

Though I think by this time, as was often the way with Helene, she had forgotten almost what was the original matter of my offending.
But I pretended to be careless and heart-free.

And so--God forgive me!--I went whistling up the steps of the Red Tower to my room without so much as looking within the chamber where my Little Playmate had withdrawn herself.
Which thing I suffered grievously for or all was done.

And an excellent dispensation of Providence it had been if I had lost my right hand, all for making that little heart sore, or so much as one tear drop from those deep gray eyes..