Page:The Toll of the Bush.pdf/120

‘Soap and—sympathy,’ said Lena, with a little laugh. ‘It sounds like that funny book, Alice in Wonderland.’

Robert looked round quickly. ‘I meant practical things,’ he said. ‘Sympathy’s cheap enough, Lena.’

‘Sympathy is dear,’ Lena averred.

‘Would you let me give you some money?’ Robert asked, sticking to the point as was his custom.

‘No, I wouldn’t.’

‘Why not?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘But if you liked me you would think nothing of that.’

‘Then I suppose I don’t like you.’

Robert tried a fresh tack. ‘You take money from Mrs. Gird.’

‘Yes, because if I didn’t we might starve.’

‘Would you take it from—Mr. Russell, or—Major Milward?’

‘I daresay.’

‘And yet you won’t take it from me! Why?’

‘Because.’

‘Because what?’

‘Because.’

‘But that’s no answer. You must have a reason.’

‘Well, because I don’t choose.’

‘Very good,’ said Robert, in a huff. ‘I only meant to be friendly.’

Lena’s eyes filled with tears, and presently they overflowed and a tear fell. Robert saw it, and his ill-humour vanished in an instant.