"It is the only way," said she—"the only way to make sure."
"If you do," he menaced her, "I shall simply write another for the next issue to flatly contradict you."
"Then you would be a liar."
"That doesn't matter in the least. I must be a man first. I am not going to let you ruin yourself."
"Ah, that is done already! Nothing can make it worse—for me."
He looked at her, taking in the words, in some sort understanding them. She lifted her eyes to look at him, and what he saw behind the look went to his kindly heart. He "felt" for her for the first time.
"May I go now?" she whispered.
His answer was to move to a seat beside her.
"I wish you would tell me," he said, in more humane tones, "how you came to do it. I would like to understand, and I can't, for the life of me. You must have had some reason. DID I do anything, unknowing—"
She shook her head hopelessly.