When he spoke he coughed--a short hard cough.
She pushed against his arm and broke from him.

Then she turned.

"Don't speak of him! Don't speak of him!" "I won't, dear, if you'd rather not.

Only don't think I didn't care." "Don't tell me you cared!" She held her arms outstretched, the hands clenched.

Her small body was tense with passion.