to do as much for Lucy as you would. Let me share
the care and responsibility. You needn't, perhaps,
be gone more than a year, and then we will all come
back together, and I take up my work again. I
need you, my beloved. Nothing that I do seems of
any use without you. You are my great, strong
light, and have always been since the first day I
loved you. Let me help bear these burdens. You
have carried them so long alone."

His face lay against hers now, her hand still
clasped tight in his. For an instant she did not
answer or move; then she straightened a little and
lifted her cheek from his.

"John," she said--it was the first time in all her
life she had called him thus--"you wouldn't love
me if I should consent. You have work to do here
and I now have work to do on the other side. We
cannot work together; we must work apart. Your
heart is speaking, and I love you for it, but we must
not think of it now. It may come right some time--
God only knows! My duty is plain--I must go with
Lucy. Neither you nor my dead father would love
me if I did differently."

"I only know that I love you and that you love
me and nothing else should count," he pleaded impatiently.
"Nothing else shall count. There is
nothing you could do would make me love you less.