She heard a slow footstep upon the floor, that stopped on the other side of the door.
"Helen," her husband said, in a voice she scarcely knew, "I want to be alone.

I am not ill, but I must be--undisturbed.

Will you go away, please ?" "Let me in just one moment, darling," she pleaded, still nervously turning the knob.

"I won't disturb you, but it terrifies me to be shut out in this way.

Please let me just see you, and then I will go right away." "No," he answered, "I cannot see you.