He was amusing while he lasted , but of what use is a beau two thousand miles away , Alma ? '' Alma was patient -- outwardly . It was never of any avail to show impatience with Anna . `` Anna , you are talking foolishly . Of course you are going to answer his letter . You are as good as engaged to him . Was n't that practically understood when he left ? '' `` No , no , dear , '' and Anna shook her sleek black head with the air of explaining matters to an obtuse child . '' I was the only one who understood . Gil mis_understood . He thought that I would really wait for him until he should have made enough money to come home and pay off the mortgage . I let him think so , because I hated to hurt his little feelings . But now it 's off with the old love and on with a new one for me . '' `` Anna , you can not be in earnest ! '' exclaimed Alma . But she was afraid that Anna was in earnest . Anna had a wretched habit of being in earnest when she said flippant things . `` You do n't mean that you are not going to write to Gilbert at all -- after all you promised ? '' Anna placed her elbows daintily on the top of the rocking chair , dropped her pointed chin in her hands , and looked at Alma with black demure eyes . `` I -- do -- mean -- just -- that , '' she said slowly .
`` I never mean XXXXX marry Gilbert Murray .
because for in of on that to until while with