and how fearfully hard it had been

"He seemed so lonely, especially as Arthur had gone off with Susan,and one couldn't help guessing what was in his mind. So we had quitea long talk when you were looking at the ruins, and he told me allabout his life, and his struggles, and how fearfully hard it had been. 　　D'you know, he was a boy in a grocer's shop and took parcels topeople's houses in a basket? That interested me awfully, because Ialways say it doesn't matter how you're born if you've got the rightstuff in you. And he told me about his sister who's paralysed,poor girl, and one can see she's a great trial, though he's evidentlyvery devoted to her. I must say I do admire people like that! 　　I don't expect you do because you're so clever. Well, last nightwe sat out in the garden together, and I couldn't help seeingwhat he wanted to say, and comforting him a little, and tellinghim I did care--I really do--only, then, there's Raymond Oliver. 　　What I want you to tell me is, can one be in love with two peopleat once, or can't one?"She became silent, and sat with her chin on her hands, looking very intent,as if she were facing a real problem which had to be discussed between them. 　　"I think it depends what sort of person you are," said Hewet. 　　He looked at her. She was small and pretty, aged perhapstwenty-eight or twenty-nine, but though dashing and sharply cut,her features expressed nothing very clearly, except a great dealof spirit and good health. 　　"Who are you, what are you; you see, I know nothing about you,"he continued. 　　"Well, I was coming to that," said Evelyn M. She continued torest her chin on her hands and to look intently ahead of her. 　　"I'm the daughter of a mother and no father, if that interests you,"she said. "It's not a very nice thing to be. It's what often happensin the country. She was a farmer's daughter, and he was rather a swell--the young man up at the great house. He never made things straight--never married her--though he allowed us quite a lot of money. 　　His people wouldn't let him. Poor father! I can't help liking him. 　　Mother wasn't the sort of woman who could keep him straight, anyhow.