The Story of Bessie Costrell by Mrs. Humphry Ward
page 45 of 93 (48%)
page 45 of 93 (48%)
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Bessie was long in answering. At last she said, almost inaudibly, 'Yes.' She fully understood what he had meant by the question, and she wondered whether he would fall into one of his rages and beat her. Instead his hand sought clumsily for hers. 'Bessie, yer shouldn't; yer mustn't do it no more; it'll make a bad woman of yer. I know as I'm not good to live with; I don't make things pleasant to yer; but I've been thinkin; I'll try if yo'll try.' Bessie burst into tears. It seemed as though her life were breaking within her. Never since their early married days had he spoken to her like this. And she was in such piteous need of comfort; of some strong hand to help her out of the black pit in which she lay. The wild impulse crossed her to sit up and tell him--to throw it all on Timothy, to show him the cupboard and the box. Should she tell him; brave it all now that he was like this? Between them they might find a way--make it good. Then the thought of the man in the public-house, of the half-crowns, a host of confused and guilty memories, swept upon her. How could she ever get herself out of it? Her heart beat so that it seemed a live creature strangling and silencing her. She was still fighting with her tears and her terror when she heard Isaac say: 'I know yer'll try, and I'll help yer. I'll be a better husband to yer, I swear I will. Give us a kiss, old woman.' She turned her face, sobbing, and he kissed her cheek. |
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