“Because she doesn’t care for me in that way. I don’t suppose she thinks of me as anything but a boy.”
“Doesn’t she know you love her?”
“She may—I daresay she does. But I’m sure she doesn’t love me.”
“Have you ever asked her?”
“No.”
“Well, then ... Gervase!”
“One can find out that sort of thing without asking.”
“Indeed one can’t—not with a girl like Stella. If you didn’t speak, she’d probably try very hard not to influence you in any way, because she realises that there are difficulties, and would be afraid of leading you further than you felt inclined.”
“I haven’t seen so very much of her lately. We never meet except on Sundays. I can’t help thinking that she’s trying to keep me at a distance.”
“Perhaps she’s surprised at your not speaking. How long have you been friends?”