Why is
it different with you, except that you give me nothing,
and can never give me anything when you take yourself away?
If it were anybody else, I am sure you would say----"
"But it isn't anybody else, and that makes it impossible.
Sometimes I think it might be if I would only say
so to myself, and then all that I said to her about you
comes up----"
"I will wait. It can't always come up. I won't urge
you any longer now. But you will see it differently--
more clearly. Good-bye--no! Good night! I shall come again
to-morrow. It will surely come right, and, whatever happens,
you have done no wrong. Try to keep that in mind.
I am so happy, in spite of all!"
He tried to take her hand, but she put it behind her.
"No, no! I can't let you--yet!"
XX.
AFTER a week Mrs. Lapham returned, leaving Irene alone at
the old homestead in Vermont. "She's comfortable there--as
comfortable as she can be anywheres, I guess," she said
to her husband as they drove together from the station,
where he had met her in obedience to her telegraphic summons.
"She keeps herself busy helping about the house;
and she goes round amongst the hands in their houses.
There's sickness, and you know how helpful she is where
there's sickness. She don't complain any. I don't know
as I've heard a word out of her mouth since we left home;
but I'm afraid it'll wear on her, Silas.
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