"Which is frequently all it is," said John.
"Yes. But when it is a real love—it's fearfully sure and strong because it has to be slow. I believe when such a love as that leaves a woman's heart, it is likely to leave it hope-less-ly strand-ed."
"And you think it's different with a man?"
"Why, I hope it's sometimes different with a woman; but I believe, Mr. March, that with a man the chances are better. A man who simply must love, and love with his whole soul——"
"Then you believe there are such?"
"Yes, there must be, or God wouldn't create some of the women he makes."
"True!" said John, very gallantly.
"But don't you think, Mr. March, a man of that sort is apt to love prematurely and very faultily? His best fruit doesn't fall first. Haven't you observed that a man's first love is just what a woman finds it hardest to take in earnest?"
"Yes, I have observed that! And still—are you too cynical to believe that there are men to whom first love is everything and second love impossible?"
"No," said Barbara, with true resentment, "I'm not too cynical. But—" she looked her prettiest—"still I don't believe it."