"An unutterably sad smile played about Martha's lips.
"'Yes, I suppose I am changed,' she then said.
"Renewed silence. It seemed as if a long time were necessary for him to put a thought into words.
"'Why did I never hear that you were ailing?' he began again at length.
"'That I do not know.' she replied, with bitter affability.
"'Could you not write to me about it?'
"'Are we in the habit of writing to each other?' she asked in return.
"He gave the table an angry shove.
"'But if one is not well--then--then--'; he did not know how to proceed.
"I pressed my fists together. I should so have liked to finish his sentence for him.