“Everything that could be done — ” I mumbled.

“Ah, but I believed in him more than any one on earth — more than his own mother, more than — himself.

He needed me! Me! I would have treasured every sigh, every word, every sign, every glance.”

“I felt like a chill grip on my chest. 'Don't,” I said, in a muffled voice.

“Forgive me. I — I have mourned so long in silence — in silence.... You were with him — to the last? I think of his loneliness. Nobody near to understand him as I would have understood. Perhaps no one to hear....”

“To the very end,” I said, shakily. 'I heard his very last words....”