Page:Gissing - The Nether World, vol. II, 1889.djvu/316

 him. Things is better with me now, but I’d rather beg my bread in the streets than you should go away. Don’t be afraid, my dearest. I promise you nobody shan’t come near. You won’t mind Mrs. Eagles; she’s very good to the children. But I must keep you near to me, my poor girl!”

Perhaps it was that word of pity,—though the man’s shaken voice was throughout deeply moving. For the first time since the exultant hope of her life was blasted, Clara shed tears.