I had n't , and that 's where I made my mistake . I do n't mean to pester you any more , but we can be real good friends , ca n't we ? I 'm sure I 'm as much your friend as ever I was . '' Now , I hold that this speech of Jerome 's , delivered in a cool , matter-of-fact tone , as of a man stating a case with dispassionate fairness , was a masterpiece . It was the last cleverly executed movement of the campaign . If it failed to effect a capitulation , he was a defeated man . But it did not fail . Anne had got to that point where an excited woman must go mad or cry . Anne cried . She sat flatly down on a chair and burst into tears . Jerome 's hat went one way and his cane another . Jerome himself sprang across the intervening space and dropped into the chair beside Anne . He caught her hand in his and threw his arm boldly around her waist . `` Goodness gracious , Anne ! Do you care after all ? Tell me that ! '' `` I do n't suppose it matters to you if I do , '' sobbed Anne . `` It has n't seemed to matter , anyhow . '' `` Anne , look here ! Did n't I come after you for fifteen years ?
It 's you I always have wanted and want yet , XXXXX I can get you .
after as beside for if in into of on that