"How can you speak as if it were past ... over?... I'm honest with you. I confess that it is a struggle for me ... to feel ... to act only as your friend. But I tell you that I shall try ... and you turn from me...."
"No, Amaldi.... No.... That isn't just ... it isn't fair...."
"You said 'meant' ... that my friendship meant much to you ... as if it were over...."
"No, no. But I...."
She broke off, and they stood in unhappy silence. Then all at once she turned to him.
"Listen, Amaldi," she said impetuously. "I can't tell you ... but if you knew...."
"I do know," he said.
They stood silent again. At last she said, under her breath:
"Then ... if you know ... you must feel that everything is over for me ... but friendship.... You must feel that.... The mere idea of ... 'love'...."
She broke off again, shivering.