Any other man in the world would have jumped , or said , `` My letter !!! '' or shown surprise in some way . But the Old Fellow has a nerve . He looked sideways at Sylvia for a moment and then he said kind of drily , `` Ah , did you ? '' `` Yes , '' said Sylvia , not much above a whisper . `` It -- it surprised me very much . I never supposed that you -- you cared for me in that way . '' `` Can you tell me how I could help caring ? '' said the Old Fellow in the strangest way . His voice actually trembled . `` I -- I do n't think I would tell you if I knew , '' said Sylvia , turning her head away . `` You see -- I do n't want you to help caring . '' `` Sylvia ! '' You never saw such a transformation as came over the Old Fellow . His eyes just blazed , but his face went white . He bent forward and took her hand . `` Sylvia , do you mean that you -- you actually care a little for me , dearest ? Oh , Sylvia , do you mean that ? '' `` Of course I do , '' said Sylvia right out . `` I 've always cared -- ever since I was a little girl coming here to school and breaking my heart over mathematics , although I hated them , just to be in your class .
Why -- why -- I 've treasured up old geometry exercises you wrote out XXXXX me just because you wrote them .
Of above although for if in over since that to