“What?”
“I was going to say selfish. I ought not to say that. I’m selfish to want her. She wants to keep her life to herself. It’s her own life.”
“But it’s only postponed. She doesn’t say no, does she?”
“Worse than that. She says—”
“Yes. What does she say?”
“She says it’s nicer as it is. We shall go on being friends. Friendship is all right. It blooms in the next world.”
“Let me talk to her, please.”
“No. It’s hopeless.”
“I’d not urge you if I weren’t so sure I could change her mind. The fact is, I think I know her.”
John started and became rigid with astonishment. He regarded her fixedly with a groping, incredulous expression. She stirred her tea very thoughtfully and kept her eyes down.