"Oh, why not? Only I'm one of the men who aren't designed for husbands. I could make a beautiful lover—while it lasted; a very staunch friend—to a man, or a woman—all my life; but everybody has his limitations. Women are just the same. There are women who are made to be daughters—they're perfect as daughters; but they should never marry. There are women who're meant for mothers. They should never marry—I mean they make very poor wives. Not many of us are first-class all round. Still that's nothing to do with it. I haven't asked you for anything, and I'm not going to. If you had been—different, well, for my own sake, I should have been very glad! I never played 'Faust,' though, everybody's morality begins somewhere—it's just my luck that I've got fond of a girl who isn't 'different.' But there it is! We needn't talk about it. Put that aside, and let me help you as if I were your brother. I don't feel like your brother, but you can trust me just as much. I quite understand. I'm not vain enough to suppose you like me, but I quite understand that it would be 'no use' if you did."
She looked beyond him pensively, and pensively she hummed:—
"'What is the use of loving a girl
If the girl don't love you?
What is the use of loving a girl
When you know she don't want yer to?'"
"Don't do that," said Conrad. "I'm trying to talk to you like a chum. If you sing that song, I shall kiss you."
"Well, what do you want me to say?" she asked, strolling on.
"I don't want you to say anything. You'll get the money for the others in the morning, and I'll send you the hundred during the day."
"You're not to!" she exclaimed. "I don't need it, I swear I don't. You're not to send Tattie or me a shilling. If you do, I'll send it back."
"Why?"
"Because I don't need it, that's why."
"No it isn't. It's because you don't believe what I've said. My dear girl, I don't suppose I shall ever see you again after you leave here. When do you go?"