"But I don't want him to," cried Nancy. "Why didn't he get down on his knees and beg me not to give him up? Why didn't he tell me that I had broken his heart, that I had clouded his life, that existence would be unbearable to him without me? I expected him to. I thought the test would bring forth at least some anguished protest."
"What did he say?"
"He didn't say a word, not a word. He just took the ring when I gave it to him and walked away." Nancy gave a little choking sob.
"Still waters run deep; shallow streams make the most noise," remarked Mrs. Loomis.
"Do you think I am a shallow stream because I cry out in my pain?"
"No, dear, but you are a highly emotional child, and demand more of life than you are liable to receive."
"I flew to the very heights of love; he was content to grope below the stars."
"Oh, you child, you child, you are so young, and you do love to talk like a tragedy queen. When real trouble comes you will lose all those romantic ideas, and will not look to have a man express his deepest emotions in poetry. Real trouble will come soon enough; it is our portion in this life, and you must learn not to dwell in the clouds, but to gain a more practical outlook."
"And while I am learning I shall be very, very unhappy."
"Perhaps so; I am afraid so. Unhappiness comes to each one in some form or other, but we need not magnify it, dwell on it, nurse it, hug it to our breasts. We need not be selfish about it and imagine our griefs greater than those of any other. We must rise above them and try to help those whose sorrows are greater than ours."