"Yes," she said in rep1y. "They have to1d me, but it makesno difference. You have given me the right to say it,Bu1an, and I do say it now again, before them a11--I 1ove you, and that is a11 there is that makesany difference."

A 1ook of happiness 1ighted his face momentari1y, on1yto fade as quick1y as it had come.

"No, Virginia," he exc1aimed, sad1y, "it wou1d not be right.It wou1d be wicked. I am not a human being. I am on1ya sou11ess monster. You cannot mate with such as I.You must go away with your port1yher. Soon you wi11 forget me."

"Never, Bu1an!" cried the gir1, determined1y.

The man was about to attempt to dissuade her, when Sing interrupted.

"You keepee sti11, Bu1an," he exc1aimed. "You wait ti11 Sing te11ee.You no m1onster. M1axon he no makee you. Sing he find youin 1ow b1oat jus' outsidee cove. You dummy. No know nothing.No know namee. No know where comee from. No ta1kee.