.

WORK WITHOUT HOPE.
The prudent course was so obvious that he marvelled at Amy's failing to suggest it.

For people in their circumstances to be paying a rent of fifty pounds when a home could be found for half the money was recklessness; there would be no difficulty in letting the flat for this last year of their lease, and the cost of removal would be trifling.

The mental relief of such a change might enable him to front with courage a problem in any case very difficult, and, as things were, desperate.
Three months ago, in a moment of profoundest misery, he had proposed this step; courage failed him to speak of it again, Amy's look and voice were too vivid in his memory.

Was she not capable of such a sacrifice for his sake?
Did she prefer to let him bear all the responsibility of whatever might result from a futile struggle to keep up appearances?
Between him and her there was no longer perfect confidence.