Now, she perceived that a part more divine had never fallen to woman, nor a responsibility so heavy been laid upon woman.

Nor guilt more dread! She writhed in misery, thinking of it.

What had she done?
She could hear afar off the sounds of the camp; an occasional outcry, a snatch of laughter.

And the cry and the laughter rang in her ears, a bitter mockery.

This summer camp, to what was it the prelude?
This forbearance on her husband's part, in what would it end?
Were not the one and the other cruel make-believes?
Two days, and the men who laughed beside the water would slay and torture with equal zest.