She should be desolate, broken hearted, ready
toscream at fate.
But this time she was not running from
fear.
Like the negroes, theylooked imploringly at her,
expecting her to give instructions.
The trees dripped dampness upon her but she did not
feel it.
But the feeling persisted, stealthily pervading
hermind.
There had never been a man shecouldnt get, once she
set her mind upon him. It seems weve been at cross purposes,doesnt it? She should be
desolate, broken hearted, ready toscream at fate.
What a fool Ive been, she thought bitterly. Hell be
just another child,clinging to my skirts.
Ithought Ashley would fade out of your
mind.
I loved youbut I couldnt let you know it. He was
driving from NewYork to Winnipeg, accompanied by Mrs. Leave us some dignity, some
reticence to rememberout of our marriage.
Out of it all only the fact that he loved her meant
anything. All I know is that you do not love me and youare going away! You take
their love and hold it over their headslike a whip.
He was driving from NewYork to Winnipeg,
accompanied by Mrs. I dont know howlong Ive loved him but its true. Oh, was he going
to be mean, at this ofall times?
Ive never been able to seethe world at all, because
Ashley stood in the way. She heard his rapid steps for a moment and then theclosing
of a door. She looked up quickly to see if there was a jeer behind those wordsbut
there was none.
He knew, he understood and her task was
miraculouslymade easy.
She was tired and hermind ticked away dully,
mechanically, as the clock on the mantel. The trees dripped dampness upon her but
she did not feel it.