e was crying； holding herself
hard so that her tears should not be known。 He waited。 The
tension continued……perhaps she was not crying……then
suddenly relapsed with a sharp catch of a sob。 His heart flamed
with love and suffering for her。 Kneeling carefully on the bed；
so that his earthy boots should not touch it； he took her in his
arms to fort her。 The sobs gathered in her； she was sobbing
bitterly。 But not to him。 She was still away from him。
He held her against his breast； whilst she sobbed； withheld
from him； and all his body vibrated against her。
〃Don't cry……don't cry；〃 he said； with an odd simplicity。
His heart was calm and numb with a sort of innocence of love；
now。
She still sobbed； ignoring him； ignoring that he held her。
His lips were dry。
〃Don't cry； my love；〃 he said； in the same abstract way。 In
his breast his heart burned like a torch； with suffering。 He
could not bear the desolateness of her crying。 He would have
soothed her with his blood。 He heard the church clock chime； as
if it touched him； and he waited in suspense for it to have gone
by。 It was quiet again。
〃My love；〃 he said to her； bending to touch her wet face with
his mouth。 He was afraid to touch her。 How wet her face was！ His
body trembled as he held her。 He loved her till he felt his
heart and all his veins would burst and flood her