"I'd sleep better, if I tell thee first."
There was a moment's silence. The woman's face was pale, her eyes burning, but she only smiled softly, holding him steadily.
"It has been so long!"—passing his hand over his forehead vaguely.
"Yes."
She could not command a smile now.
"It was all wasted. I've been worth nothing."
How close she held him then to her breast! How tender the touches grew on his face!
"I was not strong enough to kill myself even, the other day, when I was so tired. So cowardly! Not worth much, Jane!"
She bent forward over him, to keep the others from hearing this.
"Thee's tired too, Jane?" looking up dully.