TOM: Don't, Claire; that isn't--how it is--between you and me.
CLAIRE: But why can't it be--every way--between you and me?
TOM: Because we'd lose--the open way. (_the quality of his denial shows
how strong is his feeling for her_) With anyone else--not with you.
CLAIRE: But you are the only one I want. The only one--all of me wants.
TOM: I know; but that's the way it is.
CLAIRE: You're cruel.
TOM: Oh, Claire, I'm trying so hard to--save it for us. Isn't it our
beauty and our safeguard that underneath our separate lives, no matter
where we may be, with what other, there is this open way between us?
That's so much more than anything we could bring to being.
CLAIRE: Perhaps. But--it's different with me. I'm not--all spirit.
TOM: (_his hand on her_) Dear!
CLAIRE: No, don't touch me--since (_moving_) you're going away
to-morrow? (_he nods_) For--always? (_his head just moves assent_) India
is just another country. But there are undiscovered countries.
TOM: Yes, but we are so feeble we have to reach our country through the
actual country lying nearest. Don't you do that yourself, Claire? Reach
your country through the plants' country?
CLAIRE: My country? You mean--outside?
TOM: No, I don't think it that way.
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