Quotation from: The Awkward Age

Written by: Henry James


"Well then if mother's adorable why give her up? This I don't mind
admitting she did, the day I speak of, let me see that she feels you've
done; but without suggesting either--not a scrap, please believe--that I
should make you any sort of scene about it. Of course in the first place
she knows perfectly that anything like a scene would be no use. You
couldn't make out even if you wanted," Nanda went on, "that THIS is one.
She won't hear us--will she?--smashing the furniture. I didn't think for
a while that I could do anything at all, and I worried myself with that
idea half to death. Then suddenly it came to me that I could do just
what I'm doing now. You said a while ago that we must never be--you and
I--anything but frank and natural. That's what I said to myself also--
why not? Here I am for you therefore as natural as a cold in your head.
I just ask you--I even press you. It's because, as she said, you've
practically ceased coming. Of course I know everything changes. It's the
law--what is it?--'the great law' of something or other. All sorts of
things happen--things come to an end. She has more or less--by his
marriage--lost Mitchy. I don't want her to lose everything. Do stick to
her. What I really wanted to say to you--to bring it straight out--is
that I don't believe you thoroughly know how awfully she likes you. I
hope my saying such a thing doesn't affect you as 'immodest.' One never
knows--but I don't much care if it does. I suppose it WOULD be
immodest if I were to say that I verily believe she's in love with you.
Not, for that matter, that father would mind--he wouldn't mind, as he
says, a tuppenny rap. So"--she extraordinarily kept it up--"you're
welcome to any good the information may have for you: though that, I
dare say, does sound hideous. No matter--if I produce any effect on you.
That's the only thing I want. When I think of her downstairs there so
often nowadays practically alone I feel as if I could scarcely bear it.
She's so fearfully young."

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