'If you--if you'd only try.'
Her voice dropped; as if alarmed at her own daring. This was one of those foolish women who are fearful of saying anything which may be contrary to the wishes of the man they love.
'I'm going to try; if try's the word which adequately expresses the situation. I'm going to stay more than a week. I'm going to stay for ever.'
She looked up at him with an expression of singular amazement.
'James, do you mean--that you've come--to stay with us--for good?'
'That's it; for good. I like your word better than mine. Then we'll see how long the world will keep on seeming different.'
'It will keep on seeming different for ever. Stay with us always? James, you--you don't know what that means.'
Back went her head upon his shoulder, and she was still. He put up his hand to stroke her hair.
'It's in this way. After prolonged and arduous toil----'
He cleared his throat; as if the words stuck a little. She mistook the cause of his hesitation.