She is deeply grateful, but she cannot allow him to empty his water-gourds into the sand.

What could she give that it would not be ungenerous to give?
Yet his part has not been altogether the harder of the two.

The subject must be left.

Such subjects, however, could not be left until the facts were ascertained.

Browning would not urge her a step beyond her actual feelings, but he must know whether her refusal was based solely on her view of his supposed interests.