"You see, Harlan, I can look ahead and understand how it will be. A
woman does understand such things. That's the awful thing about being a
woman--and looking ahead and knowing how it must be before it ever
happens!"
"Before what happens, Clare? I'm trying hard to understand you."
He leaned forward, and could see her eyes. He had seen that look in the
eyes of a stricken doe.
"The world is all outside of this place, Harlan. You know we have always
spoken of all other places than this as 'outside.' You have stepped
through the great door. Now you see. You can't help seeing. It's all
outspread before you. No one can blame you for not looking back here
into the shadows. The great light is all ahead. I am--I ought not to
speak about myself. I have no right to. But you'll forgive me. I didn't
have any one to tell me! I didn't have any mother to advise me. I have
played through all the long days, I don't know anything. Other girls--"
"Clare! God save you, little Clare--don't--don't!" he pleaded.
"You have been away only a few days, and yet you have found out the
difference.
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