He continued in his train of thought. "Because if it is Joan, you know,
just think how we could help her, in her career, I mean. She'll need
money and I have at least got that. If you'll marry me, Elizabeth, I
swear I'll do more for that girl than I'd do for my own sister. Say
you'll marry me, Elizabeth----"
She pushed his hand away from her arm rather roughly. "If I married
you," she said, "I should have to stop thinking of Joan's career; it
would be your career then, not hers; and in any case money will never
help Joan."
"Why not?"
"Because she's Joan, I suppose; she's not like anyone else in the
world."
He was silent, his rejected hand hanging limply at his side. Presently
he said: "You do love that child. I suppose it's because you've had the
making of her."
"I suppose so; she's a very lovable creature."
"I know. Well, think it over."
"You're a patient man, Lawrence."
"There's no help for it."
"I wish you'd marry someone else, that is if you want to marry at all;
it may take me such a long time to think it over."
He looked at her stubbornly. "I'll wait," he said. "I'm the waiting kind
when I want a thing badly enough."