"I must! and will! and shall!"
"You are not the man, then," cried the elder woman, "that I take you for. I tell you, lad, the sight of you would kill her!"
"Why so? What have you told her about me? What has she done? Or what do you say that I have done?"
"Neither of you has done aught amiss, lad--of that I am right sure."
"What then? What is the matter?"
"Let it rest, lad. It is God's will. Be brave. Be a man, and bear it."
"Bear what? What is it I must bear? You have no right to doubt my courage. Why will you not speak? I demand to be told all."
"Oh lad!--my poor, poor lad!" sobbed the old woman. "Why will you be so set? It is to save your own poor heart that we would keep you in the dark; for what we should have to tell can bring you nought but sorrow--a sorrow without a remedy."
"Have no fear for me. Speak! I can carry my load, whatever it may be. What is your mystery? Where is Lina?"
"Gone, lad! Have done with her."