Nothing else matters." "I am thinking about him and his work," Joan answered.

Her hand sought Hilda's and held it.

"There are things you don't understand.

Men and women can't help each other in the way you think.

They may try to, and mean no harm in the beginning, but the harm comes, and then not only the woman but the man also suffers, and his work is spoilt and his life ruined." The small, hot hand clasped Joan's convulsively.
"But he won't be able to do his work if you keep away and never come back to him," she persisted.