"She is waiting to be allowed to come and help me in taking care of you." He shuddered and turned away.

His face buried itself in the pillow.

I could see some twinge of remorse had seized upon him.

At last he spoke.
"Cumberledge," he said, in a very low and almost frightened tone, "don't let her come near me! I can't bear it.

I can't bear it." Ill as he was, I did not mean to let him think I was ignorant of his motive.