I had naught to offer her but my poor presence, no future, and no home.

And maybe there were long days of companionship and service due from me, and I would not that there should be the least thing said to mar the ease with which that went so far.

One can be wise at times, when the comfort of another is in the balance, as it were.
Moreover, how could I tell that some of her longing for home might not be also from pain of separation?
And that was now no happy thought to me.

Well, I must wait and find out all that.

If it was in my power that longing should be stilled, and then I might know the best and worst of all that might lie before me.
Thoughts like these do not grow up all at once as I have set them down.