How much would be
implied by the mere mention of his name! Speak it as calmly, and as
indifferently as he might, he could not avoid expressing some
consciousness of the terrible knowledge she possessed.
She, for her part, was softer and gentler than she had even been in
her gentlest mood; since her illness, her motions, her glances, her
voice were all tender in their languor. It seemed almost a trouble
to her to break the silence with the low sounds of her own sweet
voice, and her words fell sparingly on Jem's greedy, listening ear.
Her face was, however, so full of love and confidence, that Jem felt
no uneasiness at the state of silent abstraction into which she
often fell. If she did but love him, all would yet go right; and it
was better not to press for confidence on that one subject which
must be painful to both.
There came a fine, bright, balmy day. And Mary tottered once more
out into the open air, leaning on Jem's arm, and close to his
beating heart. And Mrs. Sturgis watched them from her door, with a
blessing on her lips, as they went slowly up the street.
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