But I can't.

Oh, Dickie, you wouldn't ask me--would you ?' wailed Maisie.
She looked up for a minute, and by chance it happened that Dick's eyes fell on hers.

The unshaven face was very white and set, and the lips were trying to force themselves into a smile.

But it was the worn-out eyes that Maisie feared.

Her Dick had gone blind and left in his place some one that she could hardly recognise till he spoke.
'Who is asking you to do anything, Maisie?
I told you how it would be.
What's the use of worrying?
For pity's sake don't cry like that; it isn't worth it.' 'You don't know how I hate myself.