Hard for YOU?
Great Lord A'mighty! do you think it ain't hard for ME?
I--I--" She stopped short; then covering her face with her apron, she ran from the room.

John Ellery heard her descending the stairs, sobbing as she went.
All that afternoon he remained in his chair by the window.

It was six o'clock, supper time, when he entered the kitchen.

Keziah, looking up from the ironing board, saw him.

He was white and worn and grim, but he held out his hand to her.
"Mrs.Coffin," he said, "I'm not going away.