Rose seemed confused. "Why don't you want to get married, Elijah? If you're lonely... you could marry Alice...?" But her eyes moved to the door to the bedroom.

Elijah frowned and leaned back taking his tea again. "I've explained it to Ben before. Marriage is permanent. And I feel I would make a woman miserable. I feel like I wouldn't be home enough, my work is dangerous, I'm an awkward man m, and I fear any woman would find me disgusting even if they'd be too kind to admit it."

He glanced at her. "Besides, I believe in marrying for love. I've never been in love. It's only fair to want the same for women."

It pained Rose to hear Elijah speak like that. He was probably the kindest person she knew. If he'd ask her, she'd say yes in an instant (admittedly, the fact that she could then leave that awful Mr. Meijer's household would be one consideration). "Never at all?" she asked, surprised.

Elijah sighed and rest his chin on his hand. "I mean I've liked someone once or twice. But they were never interested in me. But it wasn't a big problem, I couldn't blame them and I didn't know them well. I guess I've just normally liked warm and happy ...people. A good smile has a lot of power over me. But I've more and more given up. I consider myself married to my job, Rose. I would never want to bring someone down by being chained to me."

Rose frowned. "I'm sorry, Elijah. It just pains me to hear you're lonely."

Elijah gave her a small smile, "It means a lot to me that you care. You're a kind young woman. I hope you marry some nice man worthy of you one day. "

He finished his tea and stood to wash it. "Would you like me to refill your tea?" He asked her as he headed towards the kitchen.

"If... you don't want me gone." Rose was definitely not going home with everything going on there right now, and she didn't feel like heading back to Mr. Meijer's yet.

Elijah nodded as he poured her some more tea. "Stay as long as you want. You're my friend so don't feel like you have to go. " He smiled as he brought her the filled cup and sat with her again.

Rose took the cup with both hands and smiled. "Thanks. I just worried you might be tired after.. well.. everything."

Elijah shrugged as he relaxed. "I am a little but this isn't exhausting. This is nice. I like relaxing like this with someone... What do you do to relax, Rose ?"