I wanted to be fair to Anna. But I could do
without it now, Jim; there are a thousand things--"
"Yes, I know!" he said in quick shame.
A silence fell, there seemed nothing else to be said. A great space
widened between them. Jim felt at the mercy of lonely and desolate
winds; he felt as if all colour had faded out of the world, leaving it
gray and cold. With the sickness of utter defeat he dropped on one knee
and kissed the wondering child, and then turned to go.
"You won't--change your mind, Ju?" he asked huskily.
Julia was conscious of a strange weakening and loosening of bonds
throughout her entire system. Vague chills shook her, she felt that
tears were near, she had a hideous misgiving as to her power to keep
from fainting.
"I will let you know, Jim," she heard her own voice answer, very low.
A moment later she and Anna were alone in the garden.
"What _is_ it, Mother?" Anna asked curiously, a dozen times. Julia stood
staring at the child blindly. One hand was about Anna's neck, the loose
curls falling soft and warm upon it, the other Julia had pressed tight
above her heart. She stood still as if listening.
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