"I'm getting well so rapidly," he said, "that I shall have to admit it soon."
The girl nodded.
"Are you glad?"
"Of course I am glad."
"I shall walk with a cane almost in no time. And when I can walk, I shall have to go away."
"Yes." There was no hesitation in her prompt agreement. Neither did she add any polite regrets. The professor felt unduly irritated. He had never become used to her ungirlish taciturnity. It always excited him. The women he had known, especially the younger women, had all been chatterers. They had talked and he had not listened. This girl said little and her silences seemed to clamour in his ears. Well, she would have to answer this time.
"Do you want me to go?" he asked plainly.
"I don't want you to go." Her tone was thoughtful. "But I know you can't stay. One has to accept things."
"One doesn't. One can make things happen."
"How?"