I didn't understand anything then, and what's more I don't think you
did. You were a wilful, hazardous boy, and went your way taking the
flowers in the garden that didn't belong to you. Yet after all these
years, with an impulse behind which there is nothing--nothing at all, you
repeat that incident."
Suddenly passion seemed to possess her. "How dare you trifle with things
that mean so much! Have you learned nothing since I saw you last? Can
nothing teach you, Carnac? Can you not learn how to play the big part? If
you weren't grown up, do you know what I would do? I would slap the face
of an insolent, thoughtless, hopeless boy." Then her temper seemed to
pass. She caught up an apple again and thrust it into his hand. "Go and
eat that, Adam. Perhaps it'll make you wise like the old Adam. He put his
faults upon a woman."
"So do I," said Carnac. "So do I."
"That's what you would do, but you mustn't play that sort of game with a
good woman." She burst out laughing. "For a man you're a precious fool! I
don't think I want to see you again. You don't improve. You're full of
horrid impulses." Her indignation came back. "How dare you put your arm
around me!"
"It was the impulse of my heart.
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