She knew that he delayed
as long as possible the fatal moment of going to bed, and welcomed the
first light of day, which gave him an excuse for getting up. And because
he knew that he had divulged the truth he was embarrassed. They sat
in awkward silence. To Susie, the tragic figure in front of her was
singularly impressive amid that lighthearted throng: all about them happy
persons were enjoying the good things of life, talking, laughing, and
making merry. She wondered what refinement of self-torture had driven him
to choose that place to come to. He must hate it.
When they finished luncheon, Susie took her courage in both hands.
'Won't you come back to my rooms for half an hour? We can't talk here.'
He made an instinctive motion of withdrawal, as though he sought to
escape. He did not answer immediately, and she insisted.
'You have nothing to do for an hour, and there are many things I want to
speak to you about'
'The only way to be strong is never to surrender to one's weakness,' he
said, almost in a whisper, as though ashamed to talk so intimately.
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