"Sometimes, my dearest, you frighten me with the sudden way in which you dispose of things ... they were important to you once, weren't they?"
"Of course. But they have outlived their date. I must do better."
She got up and went over to the window-seat, and when she spoke next she was looking at the wicket in the high grey wall.
"Guy, could I outlive my date?"
"Oh, dearest Pauline, I do beg you not to start problems this afternoon. Of course not."
"Are you sure? Are you sure that when you are in London you won't find other girls more interesting than I am?"
"Even if temporarily I were interested in another girl, you may be quite sure that she would always be second to you."
"But you might be interested?" Pauline asked breathlessly.
"I must be free if I'm going to be an artist."
"Free?" she echoed slowly.