"Of course I thought over them. Why shouldn't I?" said Amber.
"And do they appear so ridiculous now as they did then?"
"Not nearly so ridiculous," she replied. "One gets used to things. Really there's nothing I like better than to hear that you will be some place where I am going. I have--yes, I have got really to like you."
"You never thought of wishing to have me for a brother, did you?" he asked apprehensively.
"Oh, never--never--I give you my word--never!" she cried, and he breathed freely once more.
"Thank goodness! Then I've still got a chance. If you had ever felt that you would like me for a brother I would put on my hat and skip. Do you know that you are encouraging me?"
"Of course I know it. I meant to encourage you, just to see what will come of it."
"You'll see. I should like to encourage you. It will take a deal of encouragement to bring you on so that we may start scratch; because, you know, I--I really do believe that I'm on the verge of being in love with you."
"I would not go on any further, until I catch you up."
"I really think that I shall--one day. There is nothing like getting used to an idea. I thought that I should never get reconciled to the notion of a lover--a lover seems so _banal_--and yet already I--yes, I like it. You see, I'm wondering what will come of it. I was born in a laboratory atmosphere. My father made his first great discovery in electricity the day I was born--that's why he called me Amber--Amber is the English for the Greek word _electron_, and that's the origin of the word electricity, you know." He looked at her admiringly. "You don't need much to go to any school," said he. "Just fancy your knowing all that! By the way, don't you forget that it's in the bargain that I'm to let you know if I find myself properly in love with you--seriously, I mean."
"It will be so interesting," said she. "I'm dying to see what will be the result of our experiment. I wonder does it matter about my not thinking you good-looking."
"Do you not think me good-looking?" he asked. "Well, really, to be candid with you--and of course it's in the 'rules' that we are both to be candid, I think you anything but--but--good gracious! what has come over me? Only yesterday I was thinking about you and I thought of you as being quite plain; but now--now that I come to look at you, I declare that you seem good-looking--positively good-looking! You have good eyes. I don't suppose you ever told a lie in your life."