“It’s because—because—if I had a decent income, Effie, I’d ask you to marry me. As it is, I can only hope that you won’t ever care for me as I care for you.”
“But I do care for you. You know I do.”
“Would you have married me, Effie? Do you care as much as that?”
“You know I would. I will the minute you ask me.”
“I shall never ask you.”
“Why not? I can wait.”
“My dear, for what?” He paused again. “I can’t marry in my mother’s lifetime.”
“Oh, Wilfrid—I didn’t mean that. Your dear, beautiful mother. You know I didn’t.”
“Of course, darling, I know. But there it is.”