"But, Joan," his voice was eager, "we could do such splendid things together; if you won't have me for myself will you have me because of the work? I can help you to get away; I can help you to make a career. Oh, Joan, do listen! I know I could do it; I'll be a doctor and you'll be a doctor, we'll be partners--Joan, do say 'Yes.'" She almost laughed, it struck her that it was like a nursery game of make-believe. "I'll be a doctor and you'll be a doctor!" It sounded so funny; she visualized the double plate on their door front: "Doctor Richard Benson," and underneath: "Doctor Joan Benson." But she reached again for his hand and stroked it gently as if she were soothing a little brother whose house of bricks she had inadvertently knocked down. "I'm not the marrying sort," she said. "God knows _what_ you are, then!" he burst out rudely. Then his eyes filled with tears. "Oh, Richard!" she implored, "don't stop being my friend, don't refuse to help me just because I can't give you what you want." Now it was his turn to laugh ruefully. "You may not be the marrying sort," he said, "but you're a real woman for all that; you look at things from a purely feminine point of view." "Perhaps I do," she acquiesced. "And that means that I'm being utterly selfish, I suppose; but I need your friendship--can I have it?" "Oh, I suppose so," he said with some bitterness. "But you won't really need it, you know, for you never mean to break away." She flushed. "Don't say it!" she exclaimed. "I forbid you to say it!" "Well," he told her, "if you mean to, it's time you began to get a move on. If you won't take me, then for God's sake take something, anything, only don't let Seabourne take you." 3 On the way home Joan told Elizabeth. They stopped and faced each other in the road. "And you said----?" Elizabeth asked. "I said 'No,'" replied Joan. "What did you think I'd say?" "No!" said Elizabeth, and she smiled. Then, "I wonder if you'll be surprised to hear that I had a proposal too, last week?" Joan opened her lips but did not speak. Elizabeth watched her. "Yes," she said. "I had a proposal from Lawrence. It seems to run in the family, but mine was very impressive. I felt it carried the weight of the whole Bank of England behind it. It sounded very safe and comfortable and rich, I was almost tempted----" She paused. "And what did you say, Elizabeth." Elizabeth came a step nearer. "I said I was too busy just now to get married; I said I was too busy thinking of someone I cared for very much and of how they could get free and make a life of their own." "You said that, Elizabeth?" "Yes. Does it surprise you? That's what I said--so you see, Joan, you mustn't fail me."