His words gave Tilda a sharp pain in her breast. It was as if he had thrown a knife into her body.
Her fingers tightened on his and she said,
“But I want to – see you. I want to go – on being with – you.”
“I want it too,” Rudolph replied, “but it is impossible!”
There was silence and he did not look at her.
After a moment Tilda said hesitatingly,
“If – if we really have to – leave each other, could we not be – happy while we are – together? P-Please, Rudolph – please – kiss me again!”
“I have told you no,” he said sharply and his voice sounded raw. “You must not drive me too hard, Tilda. I am a man, but I am trying to behave decently as you would expect of a gentleman.”
“I still don’t – understand why it would matter if you – kissed me again,” Tilda said.
“One day you will underst
