But--somehow--I would not have you otherwise." He did not stay very long after that.

They talked together a little, promising each other that their friendship should still remain unbroken and unspoilt.
"For," as Tim said, "if I cannot have the best that the world can give--your love, Sara, I need not lose the second best--which is your friendship." And Sara, watching him from the window as he strode away down the little tiled path, wondered why love comes so often bearing roses in one hand and a sharp goad in the other..