Anne smiled. "You're very like Walter."
"Yes. He's every bit as serious as I am. And he's getting more and more serious every day."
"Oh, Edie, you don't understand. I—I've suffered so terribly."
"I do understand. I've gone through it—every pang of it—and it's all come back to me again through your suffering—and I know it's been worse for you. I've told him so. It's because I don't want you to suffer more that I'm saying these awful things to you."
"Oh! Am I to suffer more?"
"I believe that's the only way your happiness can come to you—through great suffering. I'm only afraid that the suffering may come through Peggy, if you don't take care."
"Peggy—"
It was her own terror put into words.
"Yes. That child has a terrible capacity for loving. And for her that means suffering. She loves you. She loves her father. Do you suppose she won't suffer when she sees? Her little heart will be torn in two between you."
"Oh, Edith—I cannot bear it."