Thankful, will you ?" Thankful was still looking at him.

He would have spoken again, but she raised her hand and motioned him to silence.
"Obed," she asked, after a moment, "what made you say this to me ?" "What made me say it?
What kept me still so long, you ought to ask.
Haven't I come to think more and more of you ever since I knew you?
Haven't I been more and more sorry for you?
And pitied you?
I--" She raised her hand again.

"I see," she said, slowly.

"I see.

Thank you, Obed.