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CHAPTER XII. 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. Her
silence meant reproach, and--whatever might have been the case
before--there was no doubt that she now discussed him with her
mother, possibly with other people.
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