"I certainly am very foolish," was her apologetic answer. "I don't know a lot of things, like you and father. I'm only a girl."
And he had the maddening sense of being baffled again—of having got nowhere, of having demonstrated afresh to himself and to her his own weakness where she was concerned. What unbelievable weakness! Had there ever been such another case? Yes, there must have been. How little he had known of the possibilities of the relations of men and women—he who had prided himself on knowing all!
She said, "You are going to marry?"
"I suppose so," replied he sourly.
"Are you worried about the expense? Is it costing you too much, this helping father? Are you sorry you went into it?"
He was silent.
"You are sorry?" she exclaimed. "You feel that you are wasting your money?"
His generosity forbade him to keep up the pretense that might aid him in his project. "No," he said hastily. "No, indeed. This expense—it's nothing." He flushed, hung his head in shame before his own weakness, as he added, in complete surrender, "I'm very glad to be helping your father."
"I knew you would be!" she cried triumphantly. "I knew it!" And she flung her arms round his neck and kissed him.
"That's better!" he said with a foolishly delighted laugh. "I believe we are beginning to get acquainted."