“Curtis, dear, it is no use. You just sacrifice every bit of your pleasure to make me comfortable⁠—to make me enjoy it; and I just don’t. I’m sorry, I want to share every pleasure with you, but I don’t like to fish, and never will. You go alone. I’m just a hindrance to you.” And though he blustered at first, Laura had her way.

Once in the period of these three years Laura and her husband had gone abroad. But her experience in England⁠—they did not get to the Continent⁠—had been a disappointment to her. The museums, art galleries, and cathedrals were not of the least interest to Jadwin, and though he followed her from one to another with uncomplaining stoicism, she felt his distress, and had contrived to return home three months ahead of time.