He could only look into the Doctor's
face and try to assimilate their meaning. For they fell upon his ears as
if each syllable was a blow and he could not gather them together.
"My wife! Jane--do you mean?" and he looked helplessly at Sewell and it
was some minutes before John could continue the conversation or rather
listen to Sewell who then sat down beside him and taking his hand in his
own said,
"Do not speak, Hatton. I will talk for you. I should have spoken long
ago, but I knew not whether you--you--forgive me, Hatton, but there are
such men. If I have slandered you in my thought, if I have done you this
great wrong----"
"Oh Doctor, the hope and despair of my married life has been--the
longing for my sons and daughters."
"Poor lad! And thee so good and kind to every little one, that comes in
thy way. It is too bad, it is that. By heaven, I am thankful to be an
old bachelor! Thou must try and understand, John, that women are never
the same, and yet that in some great matters, what creation saw them,
they are today.
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