And often in my confusion and bewilderment I was quick-tempered, impatient to the point of exasperation--so utterly unable was I to understand wherein I was failing to make you contented.
"Of course I could not shirk or avoid field duty or any of the details which so constantly took me away from you.

Also I began to understand your impatience of garrison life, of the monotony of the place, of the climate, of the people.

But all this, which I could not help, did not account for those dreadful days together when I could see that every minute was widening the breach between us.
"Alixe--your letter has brought it all back, vivid, distressing, exasperating; and this time I _know_ that I could have done nothing to render you unhappy, because the time when I was responsible for such matters is past.
"And this--forgive me if I say it--arouses a doubt in me--the first honest doubt I have had of my own unshared culpability.

Perhaps after all a little more was due from you than what you brought to our partnership--a little more patience, a little more appreciation of my own inexperience and of my efforts to make you happy.

You were, perhaps, unwittingly exacting--even a little bit selfish.