"Give it me and go in! She's been asking for you!"
"But why didn't you send for me before? Why did you let me stay away so long? How could you do it? If I hadn't come home in time, Channah, oh, think..."
"But it's all been so sudden, so sudden! Only two or three days ago she broke down suddenly. She just crumpled up. You never saw such a difference in a day or two! Oh, it's been terrible! Let's come away, we mustn't keep the door open! Why are you standing there like that, Philip! Shake yourself, be sensible!"
"Nothing, Channah, nothing! Oh, tell me, why did you persuade me to go away, both of you? If I ever forgive you, can I forgive myself?"
"Philip, let me close the front door! Come in, don't stand like a stone! I can't understand you; why don't you go in at once, she's been asking for you, I tell you!"
"Don't you see how I'm afraid? It's on my mind—what I just said! Why did you let me go?"
"We hadn't the least idea of anything. You'd have upset her if you'd missed the chance. You'd have brought it about sooner!"
"Do you think she really meant it—about the kuggel? Wasn't she just joking?"
"No. She wanted to get up to make you some and send it to you! Emmes, Philip, if it isn't true!"
He had been standing stiff in each joint, touched as with frost. Suddenly all his body drooped. His voice fell to an almost unintelligible whisper. "Let me go in to her....!"