But
there's no use talking about it. If you can think in that way you can't care
for me--yet."
The tide had nearly covered the mud-banks and twenty little ripples broke on
the beach before Maisie chose to speak.
"Dick," she said slowly, "I believe very much that you are better than I am."
"This doesn't seem to bear on the argument--but in what way?"
"I don't quite know, but in what you said about work and things; and then
you're so patient. Yes, you're better than I am."
Dick considered rapidly the murkiness of an average man's life. There was
nothing in the review to fill him with a sense of virtue. He lifted the hem of
the cloak to his lips.
"Why," said Maisie, making as though she had not noticed, "can you see things
that I can't? I don't believe what you believe; but you're right, I believe."
"If I've seen anything, God knows I couldn't have seen it but for you, and I
know that I couldn't have said it except to you. You seemed to make everything
clear for a minute; but I don't practice what I preach. You would help me. . .
There are only us two in the world for all purposes, and--and you like to have
me with you?"
"Of course I do. I wonder if you can realise how utterly lonely I am!"
"Darling, I think I can.
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