'Because I do not think you understand the kind of man Springfield was.'
'Excuse me, I understand perfectly.'
'You knew all the time! Knew what I have just told you?'
'No, I knew nothing of that; but I knew he was a bad man, knew it instinctively from the first. That's what makes everything impossible now.'
'I don't understand.'
'No, of course you don't. Oh, I wish I could tell you.'
'Then do. I wouldn't ask you, only my friend's happiness means a lot to me.'
She caught my arm convulsively. 'Do you think he cares for me still?' she asked. 'Do you really?'
'I'm sure he does,' I replied.
'And you do not believe that the change in his life has made any difference to—to that?'