Even when the words cut deepest she had made no protest.

She knew the nurse's heart, and that every word was meant for her good.

Her utter helplessness, too, confronted her, surrounded as she was by conditions she could neither withstand nor evade.
"And if he comes, Martha," she asked in a low, resigned voice, "what will happen then ?" "He'll get you out of this--take you where you needn't work the soul out of you." "Pay for my support, you mean ?" she asked, with a certain dignity.
"Of course; why not ?" "Never--NEVER! I will never touch a penny of his money--I would rather starve than do it!" "Oh, it wouldn't be much--he's as poor as any of us.

When Stephen saw him last, all he had was a rubber coat to keep him warm.

But little as he has you'll get half or all of it." "Poor as--any of us! Oh, my God, Martha!" she groaned, covering her face with her hands.