Once more he shifted his position and tried to close his eyes, but they would not stay shut. He found himself staring up at the ceiling in the darkness.
He arose, got a drink of water, and came back to bed. But he seemed more wide-awake than ever.
"Ezra," called his wife again, "are you thinkin' of the dollar an' nineteen cents you once lost? Maybe that's what's keepin' you awake."
"No, it ain't that, Samanthy."
"Then, what is it?"
"I can't tell you."
"Why, Ezra. You ain't in trouble; be ye? You ain't goin' to keep a secret from me; be ye?"
"I ain't in trouble, no, Samanthy, but I've got to keep this thing quiet until—well, until I'm ready to tell it."
"But what's it about, Ezra?"