"The man does as he likes--" "Then let the woman also," he said.
"How can she?
And if she does, look at her position!" "What of it ?" "Why, it's impossible! You don't understand what a woman forfeits--" "No, I don't.

But if a woman's got nothing but her fair fame to feed on, why, it's thin tack, and a donkey would die of it!" So she understood his moral attitude, at least, and she knew he would act accordingly.
She never asked him anything direct, but she got to know enough.
Another day, when he saw Miriam, the conversation turned to marriage, then to Clara's marriage with Dawes.
"You see," he said, "she never knew the fearful importance of marriage.
She thought it was all in the day's march--it would have to come--and Dawes--well, a good many women would have given their souls to get him; so why not him?
Then she developed into the femme incomprise, and treated him badly, I'll bet my boots." "And she left him because he didn't understand her ?" "I suppose so.

I suppose she had to.

It isn't altogether a question of understanding; it's a question of living.

With him, she was only half-alive; the rest was dormant, deadened.