FLAMING
YOUTH
191
“Which is pleasant for me to contemplate,” he replied grimly. _ “Tt’s a mess, isn’t it? What d’you expect me to do? What do you want me to do?” “Tf it’s a question of the best thing for you,” he said,
speaking slowly and with effort, “that would be for you to fall in love genuinely with some man who would understand you and safeguard you de “You want me to marry? Do you, Cary?” “Tt will almost kill me,” he said between his teeth.
“But
—it’s the way, for you.” “Probably it is. Ill make a rotten wife,” she said, as she had said to Dr. Osterhout. “You could make heaven or hell for a man. But marriage alone isn’t going to be enough. ‘There are other things.” “You mean—children?” “That, too. But what I meant was some background for yourself. Your music, or reading, or some interest to fall back on.” “Why
p??
“Because you’ve got an eager and active mind, Pat.
half-starved mind, if you only knew it.
A
It’s going to
demand things when the novelty begins to wear off.” “When I get tired of my husband?” “TI hope you’re going to marry a man of whom you won't tire,” he said gravely. “But there’s a certain monotony about marriage. Many women tire of that. Then is the danger time.” “Then I'll send for you.” A devil sparkled in her eyes.
“JT wouldn’t come.” “Not come! Not when I needed you?” “From the ends of the earth if you needed me. Bu* not for any caprice. I’d put you on honour there. Hap-
