‘I know you did. That is all that concerns me.’
‘Yes, but you thought him silly, and you thought me silly.’
He smiled at her.
‘Yes, I often thought you both extraordinarily silly, if you will have it so,’ he said. ‘But I respect love.’
Alice’s face began slowly to get misshapen and knotted. He spoke to her rather firmly.
‘Don’t begin crying again, Alice,’ he said. ‘You’ve had your cry.’
‘But it’s all so hopeless. There’s nothing left for me. All the things we planned together——’
He interrupted.
‘You’ve got to carry them out alone. Set yourself to do them, my dear. Don’t leave out one. That’s the thing. Make yourself busy: occupy yourself.’
He got up, speaking to himself as much as to her.