You see, it's something wrong with me.

I have an idiotic way of flinching from the confounded thing--I flinch and duck a little every time the crash comes, and I couldn't get over it.

I was a treat to the other workmen in that room; they'll be glad to see me back.

They used to laugh at me all day long." Mary's gaze was averted from Bibbs now; she sat with her elbow resting on the arm of the chair, her lifted hand pressed against her cheek.

She was staring at the wall, and her eyes had a burning brightness in them.
"It doesn't seem possible any one could do that to you," she said, in a low voice.