OOM Lily and Water-Lily.

 

“Nay, I will not let you pass,” he replied, gaining
courage as he went on. “I will not let you go till you
have told me why I am in disgrace. Before all the
village you have said that you will bid your father
discharge me. If it is for the mishap to the heifer,
alas! I grieve for it bitterly ; I acknowledge my fault,
for it was through carelessness that it happened.
But if I was careless and dreamed instead of minding
my business, it was because I was dreaming of you,
Salome ; it was because I was speaking to you in my
song. No; it is not that alone that has turned you
against me. Such a little thing could not sour the
heart of a maiden towards the man whose love she
knows as you know mine. I will not believe it.
Have you forgotten the Eve of St. John, when we
climbed the forest together as the bells chimed for
Evensong? Have you forgotten what I told you
then? Have you forgotten how you smiled upon me?
And if my poor voice has been louder since then in
sending its praises to heaven, if I have forgotten
myself in dreams of bliss pouring my soul into my