"About your going away? But why?"
She realized that she had betrayed herself and kept silent.
"Nora, for goodness' sake tell me if there's anything the matter. Can't you see it's now or never? You're keeping something back from me. I could see it all along, ever since I came. Aren't you two getting on well together?"
"Not very," she said in a low, shamed tone.
"Why in heaven's name didn't you let me know."
"I was ashamed."
"But you just now said he was kind to you."
"I have nothing to reproach him with."
"I tell you I felt there was something wrong. I knew you couldn't be happy with him. A girl like you, with your education and refinement, and a man like him—a hired man! Oh, the whole thing would have been ridiculous if it weren't horrible. Not that he's not a good fellow and as straight as they make them, but—— Well, thank God, I'm here and you've got this chance."
"Eddie, what do you mean?"