Hitherto her slightest wish had been a law to him, and to see her weeping was anguish to him.

To have a child who could hear and speak had been a joy that had redeemed his life from wretchedness, and crowned it with an inexhaustible delight.

If he never saw her smile again, what would become of him?
She was hiding her face from him even now, and there was no medium of communication between them save by touch.

He must call her attention to what he had to say by making her look at him.
Almost timidly he stretched out his withered and cramped hand to lay it upon her head.
"I must do whatever you please," he said, when she lifted up her face and looked at him with tearful eyes; "if it killed me I must do it.

But it is a hard thing you bid me do, Phebe." He turned away to brush the last speck of dust from the eagle's wings, and lifting it up carefully carried it away to pack in his wagon, Phebe holding the lantern for him till all was done.