“My intentions ...” he began. “My intentions....” And then he ended weakly. “Of course they’re honorable, sir. What did you think?” It was as if he were in some terrible nightmare in which there was no faint gleam of reality.
“Then,” continued the Elder, “a declaration would clear up everything ... everything. I wouldn’t have hurried you except on the girl’s account.”
It was impossible to believe that this was happening to him—Clarence Murdock—that he was being forced slowly into a life of slavery, of horror, a world of damp cotton sheets and reinforced corsets, of cold piety and stewed mutton. He must fight for time, somehow.
“You know, sir,” he heard himself saying from a great distance, “I am bashful.... I’ve meant to propose, but I can’t screw up my courage.... I’ve ... I’ve meant to all along ... and then I thought I’d leave it until I went away.”
“I have no intention,” replied the Elder firmly, “of hurrying things. I only thought that it would make every one easier ... yourself included.”
“I’m going away to-morrow ... for three days,” said Clarence. “When I come back we’re going on a skating party if it’s cold enough.... I’ll ... I’ll ask May then if she’ll have me.”
Harvey Seton rose and came over to him, placing one hand on his shoulder. “That’s fine,” he said. “May’s a fine girl. She’ll make you a fine wife.” Then he withdrew his hand for an instant and regarded Clarence with his accusing green eyes. “I suppose,” he began, “there’s no reason why you shouldn’t marry her?” And at the look of astonishment in the eyes of his guest he continued, “I mean, there’s been no other woman ... you’ve led a clean, pure life. You are fit to marry such a pure, innocent girl.”
By now Clarence had became quite still, with the stillness of one who cannot believe the sensations conveyed by his own nerves. His mouth opened. It closed. At last he stammered, “Why.... Why ... of course there’s been no other woman.... I don’t know anything about women.” (And in the back of his mind a still small voice said, “But I’m learning.... I’m learning.”)
Harvey Seton backed away and stood with his lean legs between Clarence and the dead fire. He shook himself suddenly as if the chill had penetrated even his spare frame. “Well, I’m glad to hear that.... I’m glad to hear that.... I didn’t know. Things are different in a city like New York.... And then you talked to Lily Shane....”
“But she spoke to me first....”