"Laura's not a great artist."
"And do you suppose Owen was thinking of Nina's genius when he married Laura instead of her?"
"I don't think that Owen was thinking at all. It's not the thinkers who are tools in the hands of destiny, dear child."
His gaze fell on the manuscript she was packing.
"Jinny, you know—you've always known that you can't do anything without me."
"It seems as if I couldn't," she admitted.
"Well—be honest with me."
She looked at her watch. "There's not much time for me to be honest in, but I'll try."
She sat down. She meditated a moment, making it out.
"You're right. I can't do much without you. I'm not perfectly alive when you're not there. And I can't get away from you—as I can get away from Hugh. I believe I remember every single thing you ever said to me. I'm always wanting to talk to you. I don't want—always—to talk to Hugh. But—I think more of him."