"I don't know. They're all rather ugly. I wanted you to have directions. I want you sent for."
"Why did you select me?" curiously.
"Because I thought you would understand."
He walked up and down the room, his tall head bent, his eyes on the floor. She watched him absently, her mind far away. He roused her by stopping before her.
"I do understand. I offer no opposition. You're of age, you know what you want. I make you a counter proposition. We will call a taxi, go to the courthouse, get a license and be married. We will spend six months together, as partners only. We each go on with our own work, but we share our problems and our pleasures. At the end of the six months, if you still want to go, I'll help you."
She stared at him, utterly aghast.
"But I—I hardly know you!"
"You said you'd rather marry a stranger than a man you were merely fond of—so would I. I've felt this loneliness you speak of. I'd like to make this experiment. We are neither of us handicapped by sentiment—we start even."
"But you don't like me—much."
"Enough. As well as you like me. You're a good gambler. Get your hat and come along."