“It made no difference,” she went on dreamily, “whether I was ever to see you again or not. I did not believe then that I ever should. But whether or not, there could be no one else. Some women are like that, Jem. ‘Once is forever, and once alone!’ I think a woman wrote that.... And you have not even said I was welcome.”
“I dare n’t!” he burst out. “I dare n’t tell you what I feel—what I’m struggling against. Marcia, I’m down and out.”
“Does that matter?” she broke in proudly.
“It matters everything. I can’t take your money. I can’t ask you to marry me. There’s nothing ahead of me.”
“Mr. Galpin says that The Guardian is the one big, fighting energy—”
“Andy Galpin is a loyal fool. He’s the best and finest and stanchest friend ever a blunderer like me had. Poor devil! He’s put every cent he’s got into the fight—”
“And you will not let me put in my share?”
“Share? Don’t talk nonsense, Marcia. No.”
“Not even a little part?”
“Not a cent!”