"I'll go," I told her; "I'll be there in an hour."
When I turned, Mrs. Carney sat leaning a little toward me, with an expression in her face that I did not know.
"Cosma," she said, "I want to tell you something—while John Ember is away. I have wanted you to know."
She had beautifully colored, and she was intensely grave.
"I've taken it for granted, dear," she said, "that you must know that I love him."
I stood staring down at her. "Mr. Ember?" I said, "Why, no! No!"
"Well, neither does he know," she said, "and I do not mean that he ever shall. I should of course be ashamed of loving Mr. Carney."
"Then why—why—" I began and stopped.
"Why do we keep on living together?" she asked. "I haven't the courage. And I have no property. And I have no way to earn my living—now. Cosma—I'm caught, bound. To love John Ember has made life bearable to me. Can you understand?"