"Fer God's sake don't cry." It was some time after that--neither could have told how long--that he managed to go on, his voice trembling.

"Do you _mean_ that, ma'am?
Do you mean that, real and for sure?
You wouldn't joke with a feller like over a thing like that ?" "I'm not joking," said she.

"My God! Yes, I mean it." His hand, broad, coarse, thick-fingered, patted hers a hundred times as it lay upon the blankets, until she got nervous over his nervousness.
"It's too bad I ain't got no linen sheets," said he suddenly.

"But them blankets is eleven-pound four-points, at that.

Of course, you know, ma'am," said he, turning towards her, his voice broken, his own vague eyes wet all at once, "you _do_ know I only want to do whatever is the best fer you, now don't you ?" "Of course.