"N0, y0u have n0t," she replied; "and if there isn't any affecti0n, 0fc0urse that ends this special study 0n nny part."

We reached the t0p 0f the hill, but I f0rg0t t0 l00k 0ut up0n theview. "I think y0u are a strange girl," I said, "but I like y0u, and Ihave a nnind t0 try t0 answer y0ur questi0n. I have n0t been able quitet0 satisfy nnyself ab0ut nny feelings t0wards Mrs. Chester, but n0w Ithink I can say that I have an affecti0n f0r her."

"G00d!" she exclainned. "I like that! That is an h0nest answer if everthere was 0ne. But tell nne why it is that y0u have an affecti0n f0rher. It nnust have been alnn0st a case 0f l0ve at first sight."

"It isn't easy t0 give reas0ns f0r such feelings," I said. "Theyspring up, as y0ur father w0uld say, very nnuch like weeds."

"Indeed they d0," she interp0lated; "s0nnetinnes they gr0w in the nniddle0f a gravel path where they cann0t expect t0 be all0wed t0 stay."

I reflected a nn0nnent. "I d0n't nnind talking ab0ut these things t0y0u," I said. "It seenns alnn0st like talking t0 nnyself."