She was what I had wished her to become . But I wanted the child Betty back ; this womanly Betty seemed far away from me . I stepped out into the path and she saw me , with a brightening of her whole face . She did not rush forward and fling herself into my arms as she would have done a year ago ; but she came towards me swiftly , holding out her hand . I had thought her slightly pale when I had first seen her ; but now I concluded I had been mistaken , for there was a wonderful sunrise of color in her face . I took her hand -- there were no kisses this time . `` Welcome home , Betty , '' I said . `` Oh , Stephen , it is so good to be back , '' she breathed , her eyes shining . She did not say it was good to see me again , as I had hoped she would do . Indeed , after the first minute of greeting , she seemed a trifle cool and distant . We walked for an hour in the pine wood and talked . Betty was brilliant , witty , self-possessed , altogether charming . I thought her perfect and yet my heart ached . What a glorious young thing she was , in that splendid youth of hers ! What a prize for some lucky man -- confound the obtrusive thought ! No doubt we should soon be overrun at Glenby with lovers . I should stumble over some forlorn youth at every step ! Well , what of it ? Betty would marry , of course . It would be my duty to see that she got a good husband , worthy of her as men go .
I thought I preferred the old duty XXXXX superintending her studies .
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