"Her body grows stronger, her mind——" Law's face was grim and hard.
"Andy, can't you be just to yourself? Have the years taught you nothing? There can be but one end for Helen and if you see to her comfort, you have every right to your freedom."
"Jim, I cannot do it! God, Man! I've had my temptations. When I saw her so ill, I saw—Jim, I saw hope; but while she lives I cannot cast her off. It would be like stealing something when she wasn't looking."
"But Lord, Andy! Helen can never come back. They all tell you that."
"It seems so, but while life remains she might. She loved me, Jim. The woman I loved in her died when our child came but I cannot forget. I'm a fool, but when I've been most tempted the thought has always come: how could I go on living if she did recover and found that I had deserted her?"
"You're worn to the edge, Andy, better chuck the whole thing and come off for a vacation with me. But first look at this, tell me what you think."
Law's face relaxed. He shifted his burden to where it belonged, and walked over to the easel.
"Umph!" he said, and stepped to the right and to the left, his head tilted, his eyes screwed up.
"Another, eh?"
"Yes."