"Oh, now I do remember. And she is your wife?"
"She is, unfortunate for her."
"This is all new to me."
"Strange that you should forget her, isn't it?"
"Not at all, I knew her only slightly at the hospital, as she was seldom in my room."
"But long enough to transact a very important business matter, eh?"
"Yes, yes, too long! May God have mercy upon me for my sin! It is almost more than I can stand."
"But you have stood it well all these years, madame."
"You think so, do you? But you little know what agony of soul I have endured. Oh, it has been terrible!"
"H'm," Grimsby grunted, "it seems to me you have had many compensations, such as the money you received, a fine place like this, a good son, you call your own, and the prospect of making considerable out of your coal mine. Surely they have been a balm to your heart and mind. They would be to mine, anyway."