We can make it square up. It's not a question of money, of course.
I only want to feel that if, at any moment, you don't need me any more,
you can simply stop coming."
"I think that's brutal, Gyp."
"No, no; so many women lose men's love because they seem to claim things
of them. I don't want to lose yours that way--that's all."
"That's silly, darling!"
"It's not. Men--and women, too--always tug at chains. And when there is
no chain--"
"Well then; let me take the house, and you can go away when you're
tired of me." His voice sounded smothered, resentful; she could hear him
turning and turning, as if angry with his pillows. And she murmured:
"No; I can't explain. But I really mean it."
"We're just beginning life together, and you talk as if you want to
split it up. It hurts, Gyp, and that's all about it."
She said gently:
"Don't be angry, dear."
"Well! Why don't you trust me more?"
"I do. Only I must make as sure as I can."
The sound came again of his turning and turning.
"I can't!"
Gyp said slowly:
"Oh! Very well!"
A dead silence followed, both lying quiet in the darkness, trying to
get the better of each other by sheer listening. An hour perhaps passed
before he sighed, and, feeling his lips on hers, she knew that she had
won.
III
There, in the study, the moonlight had reached her face; an owl was
hooting not far away, and still more memories came--the happiest of all,
perhaps--of first days in this old house together.
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