Kit smiled, but his smile was forced. The fight was harder because he tried to observe rules that were not his. His habit was to trust his luck and follow joyous adventure. Yet all adventure was not joyous, and Evelyn had not known poverty.
“Sometimes one’s forced to ponder,” he rejoined. “I expect the minstrel’s road is rocky, and when your road is awkward you ought to go alone.”
“Ah, you’re not logical. One can help another, and perhaps a woman’s help is worth more than you think. Would you sooner start alone, Kit?”
“If I thought for myself, I’d carry you off. We’d steal away to Liverpool and sail by the first boat; but I’m not a fool. I don’t see you going third-class, and I’d hate to see you use a room in a crowded tenement house.”.
“Do you think poor food and a shabby room very important?” Evelyn asked, and came near Kit. “Do you think I know nothing about frugality?”
“The frugality your mother uses is not hard to bear,” said Kit, and indicated the beautiful garden. “There’s your proper background: spaciousness and calm.”
“I wonder——” said Evelyn quietly. “Perhaps you’re not selfish, but it looks as if you did not want me very much.”
Kit tried to be firm. He felt he took the proper course, and he had expected Evelyn to agree.
“You are all I want, but you mustn’t pay for my selfishness. I’m broken and done for. Nobody in England would employ me——”
“But you will get a post in Canada. You have pluck and talent, and your luck will turn. I’m not afraid. Dare you risk it, Kit?”