"Why not?" she asked.
Again feverishly he moved his head, and she smoothed his pillow afresh with hands that trembled.
"Don't touch me!" he said sharply. "What was Curtis dreaming of to bring you here?"
"Mr. Curtis couldn't help it," she answered, with more assurance. "I came." And then after a moment, "Are you—sorry—I came?"
"Yes," he muttered.
"Oh, why?" she said.
"I would sooner die—without you looking on," he said, forcing out his words through set teeth.
"Oh, why?" she said again. "Don't you believe—can't you believe—that I want you to live?"
"No," he groaned.
"Not if I swear it?" she asked, her voice sunk very low.