6/34 It was this softer, gentler man who had awakened to new thoughts in the quiet valley. Tenderness, masterful in him now, matched the absence of joy and blunted the knife-edge of entering jealousy. Strong and passionate effort of will, surprising to him, held back the poison from piercing his soul. Wait!" he cried, as if calling. His hand pressed his breast, and he might have called to the pang there. |