It is impossible now." Matilde's tones sank to a whisper.
She looked down at her strong hands that had grown thinner during the past days, but were strong still.

Gregorio waited a few moments and then roused himself and bent over his papers again.
"You cannot see any way out of it, can you ?" asked his wife at last.

"Is there no possibility of keeping afloat until things go better ?" "No," answered Macomer, not looking up.

"There is nothing to go better.
You know it all.

There is only that one way.