At the back of it was too much horror and misery.
"Now have some supper," she said very gently.
Afterwards he said wistfully: "She never thought she'd have me, mother, not from the first, and so she's not disappointed." "I'm afraid," said his mother, "she doesn't give up hopes of you yet." "No," he said, "perhaps not." "You'll find it's better to have done," she said.
"I don't know," he said desperately.
"Well, leave her alone," replied his mother.

So he left her, and she was alone.

Very few people cared for her, and she for very few people.

She remained alone with herself, waiting..