"Precisely! She did more than refuse them--she threw
them out of the window. She has no imagination. From her point of view
I suppose she behaved in a perfectly natural fashion. She told me to go
my own way and leave her alone."
Edith sighed.
"It is very unfortunate," she declared, "that you were not able to
convince her."
"Is it?" he replied. "I tried my best, and when I had failed I was
glad."
She raised her eyes for a moment but she shook her head.
"I am afraid that it doesn't make any difference, does it?
"Why not? It makes all the difference," he insisted.
"My dear Mr. Burton," she expostulated, making room for him to sit down
beside her, "I cannot possibly allow you to make love to me because your
wife refuses to swallow a bean!"
"But she threw them out of the window!" he persisted. "She understood
quite well what she was doing. Her action was entirely symbolical. She
declared for Garden Green and the vulgar life."
For a girl who lived in an old-fashioned garden, and who seemed herself
to be part of a fairy story, Edith certainly took a practical view of
the situation.
"I am afraid," she murmured, "that the Divorce Courts have no
jurisdiction over your case. You are therefore a married man, and
likely to continue a married man.
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