She would like to look
after him as well as herself--there were things she was sure that
she could do for him--and she would be no burden to him because she
intended, in any case, to lead her own life. She would simply lead
it with a companion instead of without one.
He must have felt as he walked with her this trust and simplicity.
She was certainly the most extraordinary girl whom he had ever met,
and he'd met a number . . .
He could believe every word she said; he had never known any one so
direct and simple and honest, and yet with that she was not a fool,
as most honest girls were. No, she was not a fool. He would have
given anything to be as sure of himself . . .
She was plain--but then was she? As they passed beneath the light of
a street lamp his heart gave a sudden beat. Her face was so GOOD,
her eyes so true, her mouth so strong. She was like a boy, rather--
and, of course, she was dressed badly. But he wanted to look after
her. He was sure that she knew so little of the world and would be
so easily deceived . . .But who was he to look after any one?
He knew that she would trust him utterly, and trust him not only
because she was ignorant of the world, but also because she was
herself so true.
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