She took both of his hands into hers and kissed them fondly.

But by and by, though it was yet clear day, he crept feebly up-stairs to his dark little loft under the thatched roof, and lay down on the bed where his father and grandfather had died before him.
At first he was able to talk a little in short, brief sentences; but very soon that which he had dreaded came upon him.

His fingers grew too stiff to form the signs, and his eyes too dim to discern even the slowest movement of her dear hands.

There was now no communication between them but that of touch, and he could not bear to miss the gentle clasp of Phebe's hand.

When she moved away from him he tossed wearily from side to side, groping restlessly with his thin fingers.