"You are a calm, well-balanced woman," he said. "And joy does not kill people—even hurt them."
There could be only one joy—only one! And she knew he knew there could be no other. She sprang from her seat.
"Donal!" she cried out so loud that the room rang. "Donal! Donal!"
He was on his feet also because he still wonderfully did not let her go.
"He is at my house. He has been there for weeks because we have had to fight for his life. We should have called you if he had been dying. Only an hour ago the doctor in charge gave me permission to come to you. You may see him—for a few minutes."
She began to tremble and sat down.
"I shall be quiet soon," she said. "Oh, dear God! God! God! Donal!"
Tears swept down her cheeks but he saw her begin to control herself even the next moment.
"May I speak to him at all?" she asked.