Thank God, I'm not!" They walked on in silence for some time.
"But you can't really give her up," said Clara.
"I don't give her up, because there's nothing to give," he said.
"There is for her." "I don't know why she and I shouldn't be friends as long as we live," he said.

"But it'll only be friends." Clara drew away from him, leaning away from contact with him.
"What are you drawing away for ?" he asked.
She did not answer, but drew farther from him.
"Why do you want to walk alone ?" he asked.
Still there was no answer.

She walked resentfully, hanging her head.
"Because I said I would be friends with Miriam!" he exclaimed.
She would not answer him anything.
"I tell you it's only words that go between us," he persisted, trying to take her again.
She resisted.

Suddenly he strode across in front of her, barring her way.
"Damn it!" he said.

"What do you want now ?" "You'd better run after Miriam," mocked Clara.
The blood flamed up in him.