When at last he appeared she said kindly, "I am sorry you
are suffering so much."
"If I thought you really cared I wouldn't mind the pain," he
replied. "Cousin Lou, I owe an apology, several, I reckon, but I've
been so distracted between conflicting feelings, duties and pain,
that I scarcely know what I say."
"You little know me if you think I'm weighing WORDS at this time,"
she replied. "Come, let us forget the past, shake hands and remember
that we are simply cousins."
He took her hand instantly, but said, "You ask what is impossible.
Suppose you had said, 'Just remember your arm is well from this
moment,' would it be well? I cannot help my feelings toward you and
don't wish to."
"Very well, then," she sighed, "I cannot help mine either. I don't
wish to talk on that subject any more."
"Then I must plead by actions. Well, I must go now."
Mrs. Whately was much pleased, for her son was adopting just the
course she desired. She added nothing and accompanied Louise
downstairs.
The amputating table had been removed and the halls cleansed, but
the unmistakable odor of the hospital pervaded the house.
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