When Nora told them that she was going back to Racicot , they laughed at her kindly at first , treating it as the passing whim of a homesick girl . Later , when they came to understand that she meant it , they were grieved and angry . There were scenes of pleading and tears and reproaches . Nora cried bitterly in Mrs. Cameron 's arms , but stood rock-firm . She could never go back to them -- never . They appealed to Nathan Shelley finally , but he refused to say anything . `` It ca n't be altered , '' he told them . `` The sea has called her and she 'll listen to naught else . I 'm sorry enough for the girl 's own sake . It would have been better for her if she could have cut loose from it all and lived your life , I dare say . But you 've made a fair trial and it 's of no use . I know what 's in her heart -- it was in mine once -- and I 'll say no word of rebuke to her . She 's free to go or stay as she chooses -- just as free as she was last year . '' Mrs. Cameron made one more appeal to Nora . She told the girl bitterly that she was ungrateful . `` I 'm not that , '' said Nora with quivering lips . `` I love you , and I 'm grateful to you . But your life is n't for me , after all . I thought it was -- I longed so for it . And I loved it , too -- I love it yet .
But there 's something stronger XXXXX me that holds me here . ''
after as at for if in of that to with