"Lord knows why I'm telling you this--except that we started arguing and
you're nice enough to listen. It's not tea-table conversation, or it
wouldn't have been ten years ago--and if I've shocked you, I'm sorry.
But after that, as I said--I didn't think there was anything that could
separate us--really I didn't--and then just one little time when we didn't
quite understand each other and--over. Sorry to spoil your illusions,
Elinor, but that's the way people do."
"But how could she?" and this time there was nothing but pure hurt
questioning in Elinor's voice and the words seemed to hurt her as if she
were talking needles. "Why Ollie--she couldn't possibly--if she really
cared--"
All he wondered was which of them would break first.
"She could," he said steadily, in spite of the fact that everything in
his mind kept saying "No. No. No." "Any girl could--easily. Even you,
Elinor--if you'll excuse my being rude--"
For a moment he thought that his carefully plotted scenario was going
to break up into melodrama with the reticent, composed and sympathetic
Elinor's suddenly rising and slapping his face.
Pages:
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202