Page:Strange Interlude (1928).djvu/76

70 growers and farmers, well off, I believe. Simple, healthy people, I’m sure of that although I’ve never met them.

[A bit shamefacedly—changing the subject hastily]

Have you suggested this match to Nina?

Yes, a good many times lately in a half-joking way. If I were serious she wouldn’t listen, she’d say I was prescribing. But I think what I’ve said has planted it in her mind as a possibility.

[Thinking suspiciously]

Is this Doctor her lover? trying to pull the wool over my eyes? use me to arrange a convenient triangle for him?

[Harshly—but trying to force a joking tone]

Do you know what I’m inclined to suspect, Doctor? That you may be in love with Nina yourself!

[Astonished]

The deuce you do! What in the devil makes you think that? Not that any man mightn’t fall in love with Nina. Most of them do. But I didn’t happen to. And what’s more I never could. In my mind she always belongs to Gordon. It’s probably a reflection of her own silly fixed idea about him.

[Suddenly, dryly and harshly]

And I couldn’t share a woman—even with a ghost!

[Thinking cynically]