"Did 'e always work that 'ard?"
"No," said Jane. "I don't think he ever did."
"Then w'y," said Rose, coming straight to her point, "is he doin' it now?"
They looked at each other; and somehow Jane knew why he was doing it. She wondered if Rose knew; if she suspected.
"He's doing it," she said, "because he can do it. You've had a good effect on him."
"Do you think, do you really think it's me!"
"I do indeed," said Jane, with immense conviction.
"And you think it doesn't hurt him?"
"No. Does him good. You should be glad when you see him writing."
"If," said Rose, "I could see 'im. But I've bin settin' here thinkin'. I lie awake sometimes at night till I'm terrified wonderin' wot's 'appenin', and whether 'is brain won't give way with 'im drivin' it. You see, we 'ad a lodger once and 'e overworked 'is brain and 'ad to be sent orf quick to the asylum. That's wot's frightened me."