It dawned slowly on him that his relations with this woman were independent of time and space.

Of all things visible, it was she alone that mattered.

Often enough he had missed his cue, but now, as if answering a question, he began speaking softly, as if he were talking to himself: "Clara!--Clara Grimes!--Clara! I've wanted ter say that out aloud fer months, but I've never found the place ter say it in.

It sounds quite natural 'ere.

Yer know that I love yer--I've seen it in yer face, but yer don't know that you're the first woman I ever wanted.