Page:Gissing - The Nether World, vol. III, 1889.djvu/92

 "Yes. But he is so kind to me that he won't hear of work at all. It was partly on that account that I took the step of appealing to you. He doesn't know who I am meeting here to-night. Would you—I don't know whether I ought to ask—but perhaps if you spoke to him in a day or two, and made him understand how strong my wish is. He dreads lest we should be parted, but I hope I shall never have to leave him. And then, of course, father is not very well able to advise me—about work, I mean. You have more experience. I am so helpless. Oh, if you knew how helpless I feel!"

"If you really wish it, I will talk with your father"

"Indeed, I do wish it. My coming to live here has made everything so uncomfortable for him and the children. Even his friends can't visit him as they would; I feel that, though he won't admit that it's made any difference."

Sidney looked to the ground. He heard her voice falter as it continued.

"If I'm to live here still, it mustn't be at the cost of all his comfort. I keep almost