"I feel very guilty," she answered. "If I am right in thinking it would be pleasanter for you to stay away than to go there and see me, my course is clear. It's not my home, you know; I'm in a situation, and it can be given up."
"You mustn't talk like that. I must have blundered very badly to give you such an idea. Don't let's stand here! Do you mind turning back a little way? If what I said to you obliged you to leave Westport, I should reproach myself for it bitterly."
They strolled slowly down the street; and during a minute each of the pair sought phrases.
"It's certain," she said abruptly, "that my being your mother's companion is quite wrong! If I weren't in the house you'd go there the same as you used to. I can't help feeling that."
"But I will go there the same as I used to. I have said so."
"Yes," she murmured.
"Doesn't that satisfy you?"
"You'll go, but the fact remains that you'd rather not; and the cause of your reluctance is my presence there."
"It is you who are insisting on the reluctance," he fenced; "I've not said I am reluctant. I thought you'd prefer me to avoid you for a while; personally——"
"Oh!" she said, "do you think I've not seen? I know very well the position is a false one!"