It is bad enough, I know; but there is something more than an "only" round us here.

Had it not been that I took a definite precaution I might have been like the Nurse there." She turned her eyes swiftly on the weird figure, sitting grimly upright like a painted statue; and then her face softened.

With the action of habitual courtesy she said: "Forgive me! I did not mean to be rude.

But I am in such distress and fear that I hardly know what I am saying.

Oh, it is dreadful! I fear for fresh trouble and horror and mystery every moment." This cut me to the very heart, and out of the heart's fulness I spoke: "Don't give me a thought! I don't deserve it.