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"First of all, no et rid of me"

Her throat worked convulsively

"And no lies!"

She gasped for breath

"And--" He paused to look down at her "Oh, Christ Don't cry"

She bawled

"No, please, don't cry" He reached for his handkerchief, realized it was stained with slop, then shoved it back in his pocket "Don't cry, Henry"

"I never cry," she gasped, barely able to get the words out between sobs

"I know," he said soothingly, crouching down to her level "I know"

"I haven't cried in years"

He believed her It was i--it was iht in front of him She was so capable, so self-possessed, not at all the sort to give way to tears And the fact that he had been the one to drive her to this--it wrenched his heart "There you go," heher shoulder "No It's all right"

She took great gulps of air, trying to still her sobs, but they had no effect

Dunford looked around frantically, as if the green hills would so "Don't do that" This ful

"I have no place to go," she wailed "No place And no one I have no faht"

"I just wanted to stay" She gasped and sniffled "I just wanted to stay Is that so bad?"

"Of course not, dear"

"It's just that this is ray eyes made silver by her watery tears "Or it was, at least And now it's yours, and you can do whatever you ith it And with me And-- Oh, God, I'm such a fool You must hate me"