They both laughed; there had been, always, a very tolerant understanding between them.
Then Clive's face grew graver.
"Father," he said, "I've tried remaining away. It doesn't do any good. The longer I stay away from her, the more anxious I am to go back.... It's really friendship I tell you."
"You're not in love with her, are you, Clive?"
The son hesitated: "No!... No, I can't be. I'm very certain that I am not."
"What would you do if you were?"
"But—"
"What would you do about it?"
"I don't know."
"Marry her?"