“I told you how the future offers us beautiful friendship.”
She made a little impatient movement.
“I knew it would be difficult while you were talking. And now you are making it impossible.”
“I cannot see it.”
“You are blind—with a man’s blindness.”
She leant her weight on her arms, and bending slightly towards him, spoke with peculiar gentleness.
“You look at the horizon, you miss the little things. Perhaps I am more selfish and near-sighted, for your sake, if not for my own. Jim, don’t make me say what is hateful even to be thought.”
It was the first time that she had called him by the familiar name, the name sacred to his lad’s days, and to the lips of his men friends. He stood looking up at her, for she was a little above him.
“I like that word—Jim. But am I blind?”
“Hopelessly.”