"Sometimes I think that I love her; sometimes I wonder whether I do or not.
I'm going to be perfectly frank with you.
I was never in such a curious position in my life before.
You like me so much, and I—well, I don't say what I think of you," he smiled.
"But anyhow, I can talk to you frankly.
I'm not married."
"I thought as much," she said, as he paused.
"And I'm not married because I have never been able to make up my mind just what to do about it.
When I first met Jennie I thought her the most entrancing girl I had ever laid eyes on."
"That speaks volumes for my charms at that time," interrupted his vis-a-vis.
"Don't interrupt me if you want to hear this," he smiled.
"Tell me one thing," she questioned, "and then I won't.
Was that in Cleveland?"
"Yes."
"So I heard," she assented.
"There was something about her so—"
"Love at first sight," again interpolated Letty foolishly. Her heart was hurting her.
"I know."
"Are you going to let me tell this?"
"Pardon me, Lester.
I can't help a twinge or two."
"Well, anyhow, I lost my head.
I thought she was the most perfect thing under the sun, even if she was a little out of my world.
This is a democratic country.
I thought that I could just take her, and then—well, you know.
That is where I made my mistake.
I didn't think that would prove as serious as it did.
I never cared for any other woman but you before and—I'll be frank—I didn't know whether I wanted to marry you.
I thought I didn't want to marry any woman.
I said to myself that I could just take Jennie, and then, after a while, when things had quieted down some, we could separate.
She would be well provided for.
I wouldn't care very much.
She wouldn't care.
You understand."
"Yes, I understand," replied his confessor.
"Well, you see, Letty, it hasn't worked out that way.
She's a woman of a curious temperament.
She possesses a world of feeling and emotion.
She's not educated in the sense in which we understand that word, but she has natural refinement and tact.
She's a good housekeeper. She's an ideal mother.
She's the most affectionate creature under the sun.
Her devotion to her mother and father was beyond words.
Her love for her—daughter she's hers, not mine—is perfect.
She hasn't any of the graces of the smart society woman.
She isn't quick at repartee. She can't join in any rapid-fire conversation.
She thinks rather slowly, I imagine.
Some of her big thoughts never come to the surface at all, but you can feel that she is thinking and that she is feeling."
"You pay her a lovely tribute, Lester," said Letty.
"I ought to," he replied.
"She's a good woman, Letty; but, for all that I have said, I sometimes think that it's only sympathy that's holding me."