The Story of an African Farm, a novel by Olive Schreiner
page 286 of 369 (77%)
page 286 of 369 (77%)
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do not love any more we can say good-bye. I will not go down country," she
added; "I will not go to Europe. You must take me to the Transvaal. That is out of the world. People we meet there we need not see again in our future lives." "Oh, my darling," he said, bending tenderly, and holding his hand out to her, "why will you not give yourself entirely to me? One day you will desert me and go to another." She shook her head without looking at him. "No, life is too long. But I will go with you." "When?" "Tomorrow. I have told them that before daylight I go to the next farm. I will write from the town and tell them the facts. I do not want them to trouble me; I want to shake myself free of these old surroundings; I want them to lose sight of me. You can understand that is necessary for me." He seemed lost in consideration; then he said: "It is better to have you on those conditions than not at all. If you will have it, let it be so." He sat looking at her. On her face was the weary look that rested there so often now when she sat alone. Two months had not passed since they parted; but the time had set its mark on her. He looked at her carefully, from the brown, smooth head to the little crossed feet on the floor. A worn look had grown over the little face, and it made its charm for him stronger. |
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