"Now--now! Why, Hester! Now--now--now! Sh-h! It will be over in a
minute. You mustn't feel badly. Come now, is this the way to greet a
fellow that's so darn glad to see you that nothing matters? Why I can
see you, Hester. Plain as day in your little crispy waist. Now, now!
You'll get used to it in a minute. Now--now--"
"I can't stand it, Gerald! I can't! Can't! Kill me, Gerald, but don't
ask me to stand it!"
He stroked down the side of her, lingering at her cheek.
"Sh-h! Take your time, dear," he said, with the first furry note in his
voice. "I know it's hard, but take your time. You'll get used to me.
It's the shock, that's all. Sh-h!"
She covered his neck with kisses and scalding tears, her compassion for
him racing through her in chills.
"I could tear out my eyes, Gerald, and give them to you. I could tear
out my heart and give it to you. I'm bursting of pain. Gerald! Gerald!"
There was no sense of proportion left her. She could think only of what
her own physical suffering might do in penance.
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