“Men are divided into two classes—those who refuse to be refused, and those who accept. But don't be too—too swift in your acceptance. After all, a refusal is not exactly a bank-note.”
She tried to smile.
“But I am exactly a beggar,” he answered, still keeping the hat in his hand. “And if you have nothing to give me, I may as well go.”
“And spend the rest of your life in sweeping the old crossing?”
“And spend the rest of my life as I can,” he said. “That need not concern you.”
“A woman must be all to a man, or nothing?”
“You must be all to me, or nothing.”
She sat down in an arm-chair in that part of the room that was in shadow. She always sat instinctively in shadow when she wanted to think.
“Well?” Sir Hugh said. “What are you thinking?”