Page:Twilight of the Souls (1917).djvu/355

Rh "Hush, dear: if I died, would you believe . . . after I am dead . . ."

"Oh, Gerrit, Gerrit!"

"That I have always been very fond of you . . ."

"Gerrit, don't!"

"That I have always been kind to you . . . that I have not neglected you? . . ."

"Oh, you're not going to die, Gerrit! . . . You will get better . . . and you have always, always been kind! . . ."

"Line . . . and all our children . . ."

"Don't, Gerrit!"

"Won't they think . . . if I die . . . that I had no business to die . . . because I ought to have lived and been a father to them? . . ."

"But, Gerrit, you're not going to die!"

"I should like to go on living, Line . . . for you, dear, and for the children. But I fear I'm very ill. . . ."

"Will you see the doctor, Gerrit? . . ."

"No, no. . . . Stay like this, quietly, for a minute, on your husband's knees. . . . Line, Gerdy has become frightened of me. Tell me, Line, are you also frightened of your skeleton of a husband?"

"Gerrit, Gerrit, no! Gerdy isn't frightened . . . and I . . . I'm not frightened. . . ."

"Put your arms round me."