No More Learning

"

Maisie poked the gravel with her parasol. They were sitting on a bench.

"I understand," she said slowly. "But I've got my work to do, and I must
do it. "

"Do it with me, then, dear. I won't interrupt. "

"No, I couldn't. It's my work,--mine,--mine,--mine! I've been alone all
my life in myself, and I'm not going to belong to anybody except myself.
I remember things as well as you do, but that doesn't count. We were
babies then, and we didn't know what was before us. Dick, don't be
selfish. I think I see my way to a little success next year. Don't take
it away from me. "

"I beg your pardon, darling.
It's my fault for speaking stupidly. I
can't expect you to throw up all your life just because I'm back. I'll
go to my own place and wait a little. "

"But, Dick, I don't want you to--go--out of--my life, now you've just
come back. "

"I'm at your orders; forgive me. " Dick devoured the troubled little face
with his eyes. There was triumph in them, because he could not conceive
that Maisie should refuse sooner or later to love him, since he loved
her.

"It's wrong of me," said Maisie, more slowly than before; "it's wrong
and selfish; but, oh, I've been so lonely! No, you misunderstand. Now
I've seen you again,--it's absurd, but I want to keep you in my life. "

"Naturally. We belong. "

"We don't; but you always understood me, and there is so much in my work
that you could help me in. You know things and the ways of doing things.
You must. "

"I do, I fancy, or else I don't know myself.