"Oh, as to resting NOW," said Richard, "or as to doing anything very definite NOW, that's not easy. In short, it can't be done; I can't do it at least."
"Why not?" said I.
"You know why not, Esther. If you were living in an unfinished house, liable to have the roof put on or taken off--to be from top to bottom pulled down or built up--to-morrow, next day, next week, next month, next year--you would find it hard to rest or settle. So do I. Now? There's no now for us suitors."

"Resting now," said Richard, "or doing anything definite now, that's not easy. I can't do it at least."
"Why not?"
"You know why not, Esther. If you were living in an unfinished house, liable to have the roof put on or taken off at any time, you would find it hard to rest. So do I. Now? There's no now for us suitors."
