"All right," she said drily.
She could not help him, though her heart was beginning to pain in her side.
"I've been walking about the Park," he began again, with an indifference that was full of leaks, "and thinking…." He leaned forward and spoke suddenly: "Say, mother, don't you get tired of living in this place?"
She felt strangely excited, but answered guardedly.
"It isn't so bad, Joe…. There are a few decent people … there's Miss
Gardiner, the librarian … and I have books and sewing."
"Oh, I know," he went on, clumsily, "but you're alone a lot."
"Yes, I am," she said, and all at once she felt that she could speak no further with him. She began sewing diligently.
"Say, mother!"
No answer.
"Mother!"