The Story of an African Farm, a novel by Olive Schreiner
page 280 of 369 (75%)
page 280 of 369 (75%)
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window.
"I hardly see why I should be outlawed after this fashion," he said, reseating himself and drawing his chair a little nearer to her; "these are hardly the quarters one expects to find after travelling a hundred miles in answer to an invitation." "I said, 'Come if you wish.'" "And I did wish. You give me a cold reception." "I could not take you to the house. Questions would be asked which I could not answer without prevarication." "Your conscience is growing to have a certain virgin tenderness," he said, in a low, melodious voice. "I have no conscience. I spoke one deliberate lie this evening. I said the man who had come looked rough, we had best not have him in the house; therefore I brought him here. It was a deliberate lie, and I hate lies. I tell them if I must, but they hurt me." "Well, you do not tell lies to yourself, at all events. You are candid, so far." She interrupted him. "You got my short letter?" "Yes; that is why I come. You sent a very foolish reply; you must take it |
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