“That’s only a delusion. For your sake, and my sake, I’ve got to stand firm.”
“Then you will not let me?”
“I will not.”
She stared palely at his square, adamantine face.
“Arnold!” she breathed. “Arnold!—do you know what you’re trying to do?”
“I am trying to save you from yourself!”
“You’re trying to break my will across yours,” she cried a little wildly. “You’re trying to crush me into the iron mould of your idea of a woman. You’re trying to kill me—yes, to kill me.”
“I am trying to save you!” he repeated, his temper breaking its frail leash. “Your ideas are all wrong—absurd—insane!”
“Please don’t be angry, Arnold!” she pleaded.
“How can I help it, when you won’t listen to reason! When you are so perversely obstinate!”