“What higher ideal can any woman hold than her home?”
“For the woman whose horizon is no larger there can be none. She can only see the world in which she moves. To some of us God has given the wider view. What is one life if it is sacrificed to this higher ideal? You are leading the renaissance of America. So am I. Our beautiful country with her teeming millions must rise in her glory and live forever when you and I have passed on. The soldier sees this vision when he dies in battle. So I see it today.”
He stooped again and gathered a handful of pebbles, rolling them thoughtfully in his hand. His eyes were on the ground.
“It isn’t Waldron?” he asked.
She smiled with a touch of mischief.
“No. But I confess such a man might tempt me—”
He threw the pebbles on the ground with a gesture of impatience.
“It’s not true!” he cried, facing her suddenly. With a fierce resolution he seized her hand.
“I won’t take any such answer,” he breathed desperately. “You’re not playing this game fairly with me. I’ve torn my heart open to you. You’re hedging and trimming. I won’t have it. You haven’t dared to deny your love. You can’t deny it. You love me and you know it and I know it—”
She lifted her free hand in a gesture of protest.