"I hope you're becoming less psychic," said Ben. "You oughtn't to marry retired iron-masters and be psychic too. Bertrand was a very just man," she continued. "He couldn't be so unreasonable as to wish you to be deprived of the company and consolation of a second husband."
"I'm not sure," said Alicia. "I feel that he counts on me, and I may lose him if I marry again."
"I suppose, to a certain extent, you would," said Ben.
"You think so?" Alicia asked eagerly.
"Yes, I think you would," said Ben. "It's only natural. And I think if you married you would want to, too."
"Want to lose Bertrand?" Alicia asked in amazement.
"Yes. It would be very awkward to have both."
"I suppose it would," Alicia admitted.
"And besides," said Ben, "after all, you may have been mistaken about conversing with Bertrand at all. The whole thing may be an hallucination, proceeding from yourself. The wish the father to the thought, you know."