Never mind that now. And allowing that Babbitt
will, as you say, keep his mouth shut, admitting that the situation
is just what it was before Captain Hunniwell lost the money or
Babbitt came into the affair at all, still I've made up my mind
that things can't go on as they are. Jed, I--it's a mighty hard
thing to say to another man, but--the world--my world--just begins
and ends with--with her."
His fists clenched and his jaw set as he said it. Jed bowed his
head.
"With Maud, you mean," he said.
"Yes. I--I don't care for anything else or anybody else. . . .
Oh, of course I don't mean just that, you know. I do care for Sis
and Babbie. But--they're different."
"I understand, Charlie."
"No, you don't. How can you? Nobody can understand, least of all
a set old crank like you, Jed, and a confirmed bachelor besides.
Beg pardon for contradicting you, but you don't understand, you
can't."
Jed gazed soberly at the floor.
"Maybe I can understand a little, Charlie," he drawled gently.
"Well, all right. Let it go at that. The fact is that I'm at a
crisis."
"Just a half minute, now. Have you said anything to Maud about--
about how you feel?"
"Of course I haven't," indignantly. "How could I, without telling
her everything?"
"That's right, that's right. Course you couldn't, and be fair and
honorable.
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