I
never went into any of the stores. The things I wanted were inside
and for sale--but I could not buy them. I was just a window-gazer.
That's what I am still. Life is for sale somewhere. But I cannot buy
it."
The throb of her voice was like the beating of caged wings through
the quiet room.
"But--" began Spence, and then he paused. It wasn't at all easy to
know what to say. "You are mistaken," he went on finally. "Life
isn't for sale anywhere. Life is inside, not outside. And no one
ever really wants the things they see in other people's windows."
"I do," said Desire coldly.
She was certainty very young! Spence felt suddenly indulgent.
"What, then--for instance?" he asked.
The girl shook back her hair and arose.
"Freedom, money, leisure, books, travel, people!"
"I thought you were going to leave out people altogether," said
Spence, whimsically. "But otherwise your wants are fairly
comprehensive. You have neglected only two important things--health
and love."
"I have health--and I don't want love."
"Not yet--of course--" began the professor, still fatherly
indulgent. But she turned on him with a white face.
"Never!" she said. "That one thing I envy no one. You are wondering
why I have never considered marriage as a possible way out? Well, it
isn't a possible way--for me. Marriage is a hideous thing--hideous!"
She wasn't young now, that was certain. It was no child who stood
there with a face of sick distaste.
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