"Why, Auntie? Why should it happen?... And then, if sorrow comes, won't you be strong?"
Constance suddenly gave a sob:
"I shall be weak!"
"Auntie, Auntie, why are you so overwrought?"
"I shall be weak!"
"No, Auntie, you won't. And you mustn't be so frightened. There is nothing but love all around you ... and they will all of them, all of them help you."
"I am frightened ... and I shall be very weak...."
"No, Auntie.... Oh, Auntie, do stop crying! ... What are you afraid of? And what could happen now?... For whom are you afraid?"
"For Addie ... for my boy ... for Mathilde."
"But why, Auntie, why?... Oh, don't be so frightened!... Everything's all right between them ... and Addie ... Addie is so calm, so practical, so simple in his way of acting and thinking...."