“‘And now as to details,’ said he. ‘You would not try to prevent me if I were to get out of my bunk and get over the rail, would you, Doctor Leyden?’
“‘No,’ I answered. ‘I would not try to prevent you.’
“There was another silence, and then he said in a low voice:
“‘Don’t you think that it would be easier ... for her?’
“‘No,’ I said, ‘I don’t.’
“‘But living I can only be a weight, a drag.’
“‘Her little children are that,’ said I.
“‘But don’t you see,’ he cried, ‘how different it is? They will grow up....’ His voice rose in key.
“‘They will grow up and need her less,’ said I; ‘it is while they are drags, weights, that they give her the greatest joy.’
“‘Don’t,’ he groaned, ‘... don’t you see, man, that my mind was at rest about it; that I was cheerful, happy, when it was only a matter of dying, ... and now that you are taking that away, think of the horror of what’s left....’ His mouth writhed.