"Yes, I tole ye thet, long ago, 'bout a dozen times. Go on, an' say what yer a goin' to."
They were looking at each other, as people do who are about to experience some grave domestic crisis, Mrs. White's sallow face had suddenly taken on a hot flush, and her eyes looked worried and hollow.
"I d'know hardly how ter say hit with my mouth," she falteringly began. "I wush I never hed a been born'd, no how!"
Tears came into her eyes and her lips quivered.
White leaned over close to her, taking the pipe from his mouth, and said in a low, hoarse voice:
"What air the matter, wife?"
"Oh, a heap, a heap air the matter!" she sobbed.
White put his hand on her shoulder and brought his ear close to her lips.
"Tell me now, I want er know," he gently and gravely urged.
She whispered something in a rapid, sobbing way. Not more than a dozen words, but White's face shriveled as if with a great heat. He drew back from her and glared like a wild beast. Not a sound came from his writhing lips. His thin jaws quivered.