Part 55 (2/2)
”Our ... our children,” she stammered.
”Perhaps later....”
”What?”
”Because of our children, we shall come together again ... when all misunderstanding has disappeared.”
”I don't follow you.”
”Perhaps you will later. But perhaps also ... you will become so fond of Erzeele ... that....”
She shook her head, stared before her.
”We never know,” said Addie, gently.
”No,” she said, pensively. ”I know nothing ... nothing now. I used to think ... that you knew everything.”
”I do sometimes know things ... for others. I have not known for myself.”
”And now?”
”Now I know better ... for you.”
”For me?”
”Yes, now I _know_, Tilly ... that it is better for you ... that I should leave you....”
”For good?”
”Perhaps. Perhaps for a long time ... only....”
”And the children? Won't you be longing for them?”
It was more than he could bear; and he said nothing, only nodded yes.
Then he said:
”But they will be all right ... with you, Tilly.”
It was more than she could bear either. She fell into a chair, sobbing.
”Don't be unhappy, Tilly,” he said. ”We _must_ make a change. If we remain as we are, we shall end by hating each other.... Don't be unhappy about parting ... when you reflect ... that it is really out of the question for us to remain together.”
”You are right,” she said, coldly. ”So....”
”You will stay here. You will live here. That is, if you like.”
”And you?”
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