'
'Oh,--so unmanly again! Of course I have to marry. Who does not
know it? Do you want to see me begging my bread about the
streets? You have bread; or if not, you might earn it. If you
marry for money--'
'The accusation is altogether unjustifiable.'
'Allow me to finish what I have to say. If you marry for money you
will do that which is in itself bad, and which is also
unnecessary. What other course would you recommend me to take? No
one goes into the gutter while there is a clean path open. If
there be no escape but through the gutter, one has to take it.'
'You mean that my duty to you should have kept me from marrying
all my life.'
'Not that;--but a little while, Frank; just a little while. Your
bloom is not fading; your charms are not running from you. Have
you not a strength which I cannot have? Do you not feel that you
are a tree, standing firm in the ground, while I am a bit of ivy
that will be trodden in the dirt unless it can be made to cling to
something? You should not liken yourself to me, Frank.'
'If I could do you any good!'
'Good! What is the meaning of good? If you love, it is good to
be loved again.
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