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out her heart and let him trample on it, as he has on mine.”

[Slowly he breaks down, sobbing bitterly.

Don’t, Ben

Look what I done to her. Look what I done.

(hand on his shoulder)

Oh, my dear—my dear!

I did love her, mor’n she thought, mor’n I ever knew how to tell her!

(kneels beside him)

It was n’t all your fault—you were a lonely boy—she never said much—she was like you, Ben, ashamed to show the best that ’s in you.

(bitterly)

The best in me. I ain’t fit that you should touch me Jane—you ’d better go.

Not if you need me, Ben, and I think you do.

I love you—mor’n I ever thought I could—tenderer—truer—but I ’m no good—You could n’t trust me—I could n’t trust myself.

Spring’s coming, Ben, everywhere, to you and me, if you would only try.

Can a feller change—Just ’cause he wants to?