"We can't have a half-way marriage. This has gone too far.... Make your choice. You can't burn both ends of your candle...."
"Anything within reason, Jane."
"You'll promise, then?"
"No." The cruel monosyllable crushed the joy rising in her voice. "It's too ridiculous," he repeated.
There was a dangerous hush in her voice. "You understand the alternative? I leave to-morrow."
"If you're bound to be foolish, I can't stop you. I won't force you to stay here."
"I should say not!"
"You'll come to your senses soon enough. A good night's sleep will cure your tantrum."
Casually he jerked a match against the sole of his shoe. The sputtering head spun smokily into the carpet. He stamped it out, and lit another. Shielding the flame from the night breeze, he relit his pipe. When he looked up, she had left the room.
He knocked considerately on her door at breakfast time. A muffled voice told him that she had a headache, and was not coming out. Well, if she was going to act that way! She was bound to see the matter more reasonably. Probably she was ashamed now to admit that she had been wrong.