"You haven't time to stop a few minutes?"
"Why, yes. I've got plenty of time, if you want me. There's two operations this morning, but everything's ready."
"Two operations?" The woman's lips grew white.
"One's a man with five children. Got to lose his leg.... His wife's plucky. She's gone right to work earning money. But she's coming this morning to be with him for the operation. She says he'll stand it better. I guess she's right. They seem pretty close together.... That's the only thing I really envy in this world," said Aunt Jane slowly, ... "having a husband that loves you and cares." She sat quietly watching the locust leaves outside the window. They shimmered in the light.
The woman raised a hand. "You don't understand," she said.
"Like enough not," said Aunt Jane. "It's hard work understanding other folks' feelings. I don't more'n half understand mine.... I suppose you were kind of disappointed in him...?
"I don't know—" The words faltered.
"They be, mostly."
"Is every one unhappily married?" the voice flashed at her.