Page:Gissing - The Nether World, vol. III, 1889.djvu/290

280 “You find it easier to bear than I do.”

“Yes; I find it easier. I am stronger-bodied, and at all events I have some variety, whilst you have none. I know it. If I could take your share of the burden, how gladly I’d do so! If I could take your suffering upon myself, you shouldn’t be unhappy for another minute. But that is another impossible thing. People who are fortunate in life may ask each day what they can do; we have always to remind ourselves what we can’t."

“You take a pleasure in repeating such things; it shows how little you feel them.”

“It shows how I have taken to heart the truth of them.”

She waved her hand impatiently, again sighed, and moved towards the door.

“Don’t go just yet,” said Sidney. “We have more to say to each other.”

“I have nothing more to say. I am miserable, and you can’t help me.”

“I can, Clara.”

She looked at him with wondering, estranged eyes. “How? What are you going to do?”

“Only speak to you, that’s all. I have nothing to give but words. But”