"My wife." Then, with a sudden impulse, he swerved about the bed and sat down beside the sick man.

"Ba'teese--" he smiled plaintively--"like to talk about Pierre--and Julienne.

Even though eet hurt." Barry could think only in terms of triteness.
"Have they been gone long ?" The big man counted on his fingers.
"One--two--t'ree year.

Before that--_bon_!" He kissed his fingers airily.

"Old Ba'teese, he break the way--long time ago.