"O yes! She saw through Julia and mother as well as I did; and she spoke as any friend of Lois would, who had a little pride about her. I can't blame her."
Silence fell again, and lasted while the two young men walked the length of several blocks. Then Mr. Dillwyn began again.
"Tom, there ought to be no more shilly-shallying about this matter."
"No more! Yes, you're right. I ought to have settled it long ago, before Julia and mother got hold of it. That's where I made a mistake."
"And you think it too late?"
Tom hesitated. "It's too late. I've lost my time. She has given me up, and mother and Julia have set their hearts that I should give her up. I am not a match for them. Is a man ever a match for a woman, do you think, Dillwyn, if she takes something seriously in hand?"
"Will you go to Europe next spring?"
"Perhaps. I suppose so."
"If you do, perhaps I will join the party—that is, if you will all let me."
So the conversation went over into another channel.