"Sit down and let us talk about it quietly," he
said, coming back after a moment. "I think we
have misunderstood each other; of course I should
not have laughed if I had thought you were serious.
Try to tell me plainly what is troubling you;
and then, if there is any misunderstanding, we
may be able to clear it up."
"There's nothing to clear up. I can see you
don't care a brass farthing for me."
"My dear child, we had better be quite frank
with each other. I have always tried to be honest
about our relationship, and I think I have never
deceived you as to----"
"Oh, no! you have been honest enough; you
have never even pretended to think of me as anything
else but a prostitute,--a trumpery bit of
second-hand finery that plenty of other men have
had before you--"
"Hush, Zita! I have never thought that way
about any living thing."
"You have never loved me," she insisted sullenly.
"No, I have never loved you. Listen to me,
and try to think as little harm of me as you can.
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