"I think my wishes ought to rank first with you. If you love me—as you have said you do!"
She sat down, but Rob remained standing.
"Even for you, Patricia, I cannot put amusement before duty."
"But if your duty is to please me?" She lifted her eyes to his with their sweetest look.
"I cannot be away—even to please you—that evening."
"If you asked your Vicar, he would understand."
"It could make no difference. I have no doubt whatever as to what I ought to do."
She held up her head. "You can put slum-work before me! It shows how little you really care!"
"Is it not rather that you and I look upon life with different eyes? My first duty is to my Master—to the life-work to which I am vowed. Nothing may hinder that. Cannot you see things, or try to see them, from my standpoint?"
"Really, I don't see why I should try to do anything of the kind," she retorted, losing temper. "It ought to be your business to see things from my standpoint."