His tongue seemed the fork of a snake, his words came with such deadly coldness....
"It will end to-night."
"How ... to-night?"
"I'm leaving.... I'm going west...."
"West.... Where?"
"To Sam's...."
"Oh," said his mother....
There was a long cruel silence. He shut his eyes, overcome with a sort of horror.... Then she turned her face a little away, and he heard the faintly breathed words....
"This is the end of me...."
Still he said nothing. She turned toward him, with a groan.