Page:The Blind Bow-Boy (IA blindbowboy00vanv).pdf/236

 It's very hard. I've been trying to get on, to do something. I'm not used to it, but it seemed the only decent thing to do. He broke off suddenly and asked, Do you know how I was brought up? Do you know about my Aunt Sadi?

Alice has told me something. I think I understand.

The best woman in the world. . . after you. It's not her fault. It's just my misfortune.

Campaspe brought him back. What have you been trying to do, Harold?

I don't want to talk about that. ever. It hasn't been a success. I've got to begin all over.

What do you want to do?

It isn't so much that. The question is what can I do?

Can't you go back to your Aunt? Campaspe hoped for a negative reply.

Yes. She wants me. She wrote me a letter asking me to come back. But what would be the good of that? That would mean going back to what I began with and staying there. Probably I could never get away again. . . . He stared at her with some embarrassment for a moment before he said: I'd thought of the stage.

Her reaction to this was direct: But you're such a bad actor!

He groaned again.

I don't know that that makes any great difference, Campaspe reminded herself aloud. Then suddenly,