We cannot change social institutions in a year
or a lifetime. We can never change them to suit an individual case.
That would be like suspending the laws of gravitation in order to move
a piano. As things are, Martin is no good to me, no help to me. She is a
rival to my duty. She feels that. She is hostile to my duty. A definite
antagonism has developed. She feels and treats fuel--and everything to
do with fuel as a bore. It is an attack. We quarrel on that. It isn't as
though I found it so easy to stick to my work that I could disregard her
hostility. And I can't bear to part from her. I threaten it, distress
her excessively and then I am overcome by sympathy for her and I go back
to her.... In the ordinary course of things I should be with her now."
"If it were not for the carbuncle?"
"If it were not for the carbuncle. She does not care for me to see her
disfigured. She does not understand--" Sir Richmond was at a loss for a
phrase--"that it is not her good looks."
"She won't let you go to her?"
"It amounts to that.... And soon there will be all the trouble about
educating the girl. Whatever happens, she must have as good a chance
as--anyone...."
"Ah! That is worrying you too!"
"Frightfully at times. If it were a boy it would be easier.
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