entitled to decline to take the risk。 I don't fool myself that it will
be all plain sailing； that there won't be difficulties and
discouragements。 But I'll promise to try。〃
〃What is it？〃 she asked； in a low voice。 〃II think I know。〃
〃Perhaps you have guessed it。 I am willing to try to devote what is left
of my life to you and to them。 And I need your help。 I acknowledge it。
Let us try to make more possible for them the life we have missed。〃
〃The life we have missed！〃 she said。
〃Yes。 My mistakes； my failures； have brought us to the edge of a
precipice。 We must prevent； if we can； those mistakes and failures for
them。 The remedy for unhappy marriages； for all mistaken； selfish and
artificial relationships in life is a preventive one。 My plan is that we
try to educate ourselves together； take advantage of the accruing
knowledge that is helping men and women to cope with the problems； to
think straight。 We can then teach our children to think straight； to
avoid the pitfalls into which we have fallen。〃
I paused。 Maude did not reply。 Her face was turned away from me；
towards the red glow of the setting sun above the hills。
〃You have been doing this all along； you have had the vision； the true
vision； while I lacked it； Maude。 I offer to help you。 But if you think
it is impossible for us to live together； if you believe my feeling
toward you is not enough； if you don't think I can do what I propose； or
if you have ceased to care for me〃
She turned to me with a swift movement； her eyes filled with tears。
〃Oh； Hugh； don't say any more。 I can't stand it。 How little you know；
for all your thinking。 I love you； I always have loved you。 I grew to
be ashamed of it； but I'm not any longer。 I haven't any pride any more；
and I never want to have it again。〃
〃You're willing to take me as I am；to try？〃 I said。
〃Yes；〃 she answered； 〃I'm willing to try。〃 She smiled at me。 〃And I
have more faith than you； Hugh。 I think we'll succeed。〃。。。。
At nine o'clock that night； when we came out through the gates of the
big； noisy station； the children were awaiting us。 They had changed；
they had grown。 Biddy kissed me shyly； and stood staring up at me。
〃We'll take you out to…morrow and show you how we can ride；〃 said
Moreton。
Matthew smiled。 He stood very close to me； with his hand through my arm。
〃You're going to stay； father？〃 he asked。
〃I'm going to stay； Matthew；〃 I answered； 〃until we all go back to
America。〃。。。。
End