She was a married woman and believed in simple friendship. Paul considered that he was behaving quite correctly towards her. It was only a friendship between man and woman such as any sensible people might have. It seemed to him quite Miriam was his old friend and lover: she belonged to Bestwood and home and his growing up Clara was a newer friend, and she belonged to Nottingham, to life, to the world. Clara rarely saw Miriam now. They were still friends but the friendship was much weakened.
"Will you come to the concert on Sunday?" Clara asked Paul just after Christmas.
I promised to go up to Willey Farm, he replied. "You're not upset, are you?'
"Why should I be?" she answered.
Again Paul found himself telling her about Miriam.
"She wants me so much that I can't give myself. She wants the soul out of my body.
And yet you love her?" asked Clara.
No I don't love her. I never even kiss her.
Why not?" Clara asked.
"I don't know
I suppose you're afraid. Anyway, she doesn't want to have your soul. That's your imagination. She wants you
He thought about this. Perhaps he was wrong.
"But she seems-' he began. You've never tried, she answered.