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Walpole, Hugh, Sir, 1884-1941

"The Captives"

You must see that."
"Yes, but what you don't, Martin, see," she answered him, "is that
I've got some right to think of my own happiness. It's quite true
what you say, that if you get well and decide you don't want to see
me I won't follow you. Of course I won't. Perhaps one day you will
want me all the same. But I'm happy only with you, and so long as I
don't bore you I'm going to stay. I've always been. wrong with every
one else, stupid and doing everything I shouldn't. But with you it
isn't so. I'm not stupid, and however you behave I'm happy. I can't
help it. It's just so."
"But how can you be happy?" he said, "I'm not the sort for any one
to be happy with. When I've been drinking I'm impossible. I'm sulky
and lazy, and I don't want to be any better either. You may think
you're happy these first few weeks, but you won't be later on."
"Let's try," said Maggie, laughing. "Here's a bargain, Martin. You
say I don't bore you. I'll stay with you until you're quite well.
Then if you don't want me I'll go and not bother you until you ask
for me. Is that a bargain?"
"You'd much better not," he said.


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