The King and Queen were glad when at last the day was ended.
XXII
Johannes and Marjon both held out bravely until night, doing their daily work as well as they could, and telling briefly, to the few faithful friends of Markus, what had occurred.
But when the lonesome night was come, and they were about to part for several hours, Johannes said:
"No, do not go away from me! How can I endure it—alone with my thoughts—without you!"
They were in the little kitchen where Marjon slept. A small lamp, without a shade, stood burning on the table beside an untidy coffee-set.
When Johannes said this, Marjon looked at him with puzzled, half-closed eyes, as if she did not understand and was trying to think it out. Then she threw herself forward upon her pillow, her face in her hands, and began to cry piteously.
At that Johannes also broke down, and kneeling beside her poor, rickety little iron bed, he cried with her like one in desperation.
Then said Johannes: "What shall we do without him, Marjon?"