"Ah, now you speak with spirit. And the renunciation is not necessary, believe me. You can, if you will take my advice, keep your lover for yourself."
"Yes!"
"I know a way in which you can not only keep him, but get him to love you just as passionately as he now loves Nurse Mollie."
"Do you indeed, Major Strause? If there is such a way, believe me I will take it."
"I think you will. You must listen attentively."
"I will listen," said Kitty.
"In the first place, you must completely change your mode of life. You must not shrink any longer from terrible sights, nor from unselfish actions; you must not spend all your time in this dull, wretched room—any one would get hipped who lived in a place of this sort; you must show your pluck and spirit; you must go back to the hospital; you must learn the duties of a nurse; and you must not leave your sister and Keith alone."
"I will not," said Kitty. Her cheeks were flaming and her eyes shining.
"That is right. You will be twice the girl you are now. You will cease to fear Long Tom when you have so many other things to fear."
"I don't really mind Long Tom," answered Kitty, and as she spoke she gave a shudder. "I think," she added, "that I would almost like a shell to come in and—end everything; for oh, your words have made me so very miserable!"