"Don'tyouwantto? Well, then, comehere," saidshe, andwentfurtherinamongtheplantsandthrewdownthedoll."Closer, closer!" shewhispered.
Shecaughttheyoungofficerbyhiscuffs, andalookofsolemnityandfearappearedonherflushedface.
"Andme? Wouldyouliketokissme?" shewhisperedalmostinaudibly, glancingupathimfromunderherbrows, smiling, andalmostcryingfromexcitement.
Borisblushed.
"Howfunnyyouare!" hesaid, bendingdowntoherandblushingstillmore, buthewaitedanddidnothing.
Suddenlyshejumpedupontoatubtobehigherthanhe, embracedhimsothatbothherslenderbarearmsclaspedhimabovehisneck, and, tossingbackherhair, kissedhimfullonthelips.
Thensheslippeddownamongtheflowerpotsontheothersideofthetubsandstood, hangingherhead.
"Natasha," hesaid, "youknowthatIloveyou, but..."
"Youareinlovewithme?" Natashabrokein.
"Yes, Iam, butpleasedon'tletusdolikethat....Inanotherfouryears...thenIwillaskforyourhand."
Natashaconsidered.
"Thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen," shecountedonherslenderlittlefingers."Allright! Thenit'ssettled?"
Asmileofjoyandsatisfactionlituphereagerface.
"Settled!" repliedBoris.
"Forever?" saidthelittlegirl."Tilldeathitself?"
Shetookhisarmandwithahappyfacewentwithhimintotheadjoiningsittingroom.
