Goodness knows, I don't want to force you to come here." Modest and reserved as Clarence was generally, I fear that bashfulness of approach to the other sex was not one of these indications.

He walked up to Susy with appalling directness, and passed his arm around her waist.

She did not move, but remained looking at him and his intruding arm with a certain critical curiosity, as if awaiting some novel sensation.

At which he kissed her.

She then slowly disengaged his arm, and said:-- "Really, upon my word, Clarence," in perfectly level tones, and slipped quietly to the ground.
He again caught her in his arms, encircling her disarranged hair and part of the beribboned hat hanging over her shoulder, and remained for an instant holding her thus silently and tenderly.