"Don't you understand me?
@thatiliazdguy.bsky.social
@thatiliazdguy.bsky.social"Don't you understand me?
@thatiliazdguy.bsky.socialHe but continued to stare, and she met his blankness with surprise.
@thatiliazdguy.bsky.socialFrom *me* it has the weight."
@thatiliazdguy.bsky.socialAnd then as her now quite sombre gravity only made him stare: "To start you it *was* necessary.
@thatiliazdguy.bsky.social"I'm the most honest woman in the world, but I've nevertheless done for you what was necessary."
@thatiliazdguy.bsky.social"I see how far you're going."
@thatiliazdguy.bsky.socialHe felt himself red and as if his honour were colouring up; but he laughed again as he could.
@thatiliazdguy.bsky.socialBut you don't know," she added, "how far I've gone for you."
@thatiliazdguy.bsky.social"Yes, my inviting you to-night's a part of it.
@thatiliazdguy.bsky.socialYour inviting me for instance to-night—!"
@thatiliazdguy.bsky.social"Of course I know I owe you thanks for a deal of kind treatment.
@thatiliazdguy.bsky.socialBut that wasn't what he asked aloud.
@thatiliazdguy.bsky.socialWhat then in this light did Kate believe him?
@thatiliazdguy.bsky.socialHer truth, for that matter, was that she believed him bribeable: a belief that for his own mind as well, while they stood there, lighted up the impossible.
@thatiliazdguy.bsky.socialDistinct he felt her pressure; he felt, given her basis, her consistency; he even felt, to a degree that was immediately to receive an odd confirmation, her truth.
@thatiliazdguy.bsky.socialAnd you owe me something—if you want to know why."
@thatiliazdguy.bsky.socialMind you, moreover"—she kept it up—"I'm not one who talks in the air.
@thatiliazdguy.bsky.social"I don't say it does—but there's no reason it shouldn't to *you*.
@thatiliazdguy.bsky.socialShe wasn't abashed.
@thatiliazdguy.bsky.social"Of what doesn't belong to me?"