The other voice did not trouble to answer; it only seemed to laugh a lazy laugh.
"I am trying to think this all out," I said, half-ashamed, half- vexed. "You may help me if you will; I am perplexed—I see no way out of it!"
"Oh, you may think as much as you like," said the other voice. "I am in no hurry, I can wait."
"But I AM in a hurry," I said, "and I cannot wait. This has got to be settled somehow, and without delay."
"I shall decide when the time comes," said the voice to me.
"Yes, but you do not understand," I said, feeling partly irritated and partly helpless. "There is this and that, there is so-and-so to be considered, there is the effect on these other persons to be weighed; there is my own position too—I must think of my health— there are a dozen things to be taken into account."
"I know," said the voice; "I do not mind your balancing all these things if you wish. I shall take no heed of that! I repeat that, when you have finished thinking it out, I shall decide."
"Then you know what you mean to do?" said I, a little angered.
"No, I do not know just yet," said the voice; "but I shall know when the time comes; there will be no doubt at all."
"Then I suppose I shall have to do what you decide?" I said, angry but impressed.