Kipps, page 249

Kipps, page 249 by H.G. Wells

250

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'Ann.'

The conversation still hung fire.

'Ann,' he said; made a movement with his hands that suggested appeal and advanced a step.

Ann shook her head more definitely, and became defensive.

'Look here, Ann,' said Kipps. 'I been a fool.'

They stared into each other's miserable eyes.

'Ann,' he said. 'I want to marry you.'

Ann clutched the table edge. 'You can't,' she said faintly.

He made as if to approach her round the table, and she took a step that restored their distance.

'I must,' he said.

'You can't.'

'I must. You got to marry me, Ann.'

'You can't go marrying everybody. You got to marry 'er.'

'I shan't.'

Ann shook her head. 'You're engaged to that girl. Lady, rather. You can't be engaged to me.'

'I don't want to be engaged to you. I been engaged. I want to be married to you. See? Right away.'

Ann turned a shade paler. 'But what d'you mean?' she asked.

'Come right off to London and marry me. Now.'

'What d'you mean?'

Kipps became extremely lucid and earnest.

'I mean, come right off and marry me now before any one else can. See?'

'In London?'

'In London.'

They stared at one another again. They took things for granted in the most amazing way.

'I couldn't,' said Ann. 'For one thing, my month's not up for mor'n free weeks yet.'

They hung before that for a moment as though it was insurmountable.

'Look 'ere, Ann! Arst to go. Arst to go!''

'She wouldn't,' said Ann.

'Then come without arsting,' said Kipps.

'She'd keep my box--'

'She won't.'

'She will.'

'She won't.'

'You don't know 'er.'

'Well, desh 'er--let 'er! LET 'ER! Who cares? I'll buy you a 'undred boxes if you'll come.'

'It wouldn't be right towards Her.'

'It isn't Her you got to think about, Ann. It's me.'

'And you 'aven't treated me properly,' she said. 'You 'aven't treated me properly, Artie. You di