“All the time, I was thinking ... of Marianne. I am fond of her, Addie.”
“Yes, Father.”
“I tried to imagine it ... I know ... that she is fond of me, Addie.”
“Yes.”
“I tried to picture it ... And then, Addie ... then I thought myself old. Tell me, I am old, don’t you think?”
“You are not old, Father.”
“No, perhaps not.... Still, Addie, I don’t know, I really don’t know.... Then, Addie, I thought....”
“Of what, Dad, of whom?”
“I went on riding, like a madman. That’s how I think best. Then I thought of ... you.”
“Of me?”