Page:Gissing - The Nether World, vol. II, 1889.djvu/179

 in the look she fixed upon him. Sidney replied that he would hold nothing more sacred than the charge she gave him.

“It’ll be easier for them to live,” continued the feeble voice. "I’ve been ill so long, and there’s been so much expense. Amy’ll be earning something before long.”

“Don’t trouble,” Sidney answered. “They shall never want as long as I live—never!”

“Sidney, come a bit nearer. Do you know anything about her?"

He shook his head.

“If ever—if ever she comes back, don’t turn away from her—will you?”

“I would welcome her as I would a sister of my own.”

“There’s such hard things in a woman’s life. What would a’ become of me, if John hadn’t took pity on me! The world’s a hard place; I should be glad to leave it, if it wasn’t for them as has to go on in their trouble. I knew you’d come when I sent Amy. Oh, I feel that easier in my mind!”

“Why didn’t you send long before? No,