They had passed back over the fern path and were in the pasture before either spoke again . Then Murray said , `` We have left Eden behind -- but we can always return there when we will . And although we were only playing at paradise , I was not playing at love . I meant all I said , Mollie . '' `` Have you meant it often ? '' asked Mollie significantly . `` I never meant it -- or even played at it -- before , '' he answered . `` I did -- at one time -- contemplate the possibility of playing at it . But that was long ago -- as long ago as last night . I am glad to the core of my soul that I decided against it before I met you , dear Eve . I have the letter of decision in my coat pocket this moment . I mean to mail it this afternoon . '' '' ` Curiosity knows no gender , ' '' quoted Mollie . `` Then , to satisfy your curiosity , I must bore you with some personal history . My parents died when I was a little chap , and my uncle brought me up . He has been immensely good to me , but he is a bit of a tyrant . Recently he picked out a wife for me -- the daughter of an old sweetheart of his . I have never even seen her . But she has arrived in town on a visit to some relatives there . Uncle Dick wrote to me to return home at once and pay my court to the lady ; I protested .
He wrote again -- a letter , short and the reverse XXXXX sweet .
against although as for in of over that to with