"I can, and I will," Ann returned with equal decision.
"If you tried such a thing, your father would bring you back—you're not of age."
She drew a short breath and considered a moment. "But I will be in the fall—they can't make me come back then, can they?"
"No—" Garvin said slowly. "They couldn't—not if you were determined."
He was thinking. A possibility had occurred to him that made him flush; brought him back to the thing to which he had given himself up of late, his desire for Ann.... The thing that was almost impossible here was possible in the city. And what a haven to escape to!... He looked at her as she distressfully pondered her future. She had never seemed more lovable or less a girl to be taken by storm; she had shown an amount of decision he had not known she possessed. He had her confidence; he would do well to keep it.
"If you are determined enough, Ann, and careful to keep what you mean to do a secret, I think you could carry it through," he supplemented. "And why shouldn't you go? Almost anything is better than life as you've had it. I'll help you to go, when you're ready for it."
"You could help me to get something to do, maybe?" she asked quickly. "I've been thinking maybe you could. That's one reason I wanted to talk to you."
"Possibly. I'd do almost anything for you, Ann, especially now I know you're not happy down there."
Her pleasure and relief were evident; she flushed brightly. "You're very nice to me Mr. Garvin."
"We're really friends, then, Ann? You don't share the family grudge?"