Excerpt: ...been unable to break it down, and all the new emotions which she was trembling with and longing to express, had grown chilled. Presumably John must be pleased at the possibility of having a son since it was his heart's desire; but it almost seemed as though the subject embarrassed him! And all the beautiful things which she had meant to say to him about it remained unspoken. He was stolidly matter-of-fact. What could it all mean? At last she had become deeply hurt and had cried with a tremour in her voice the ...
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Excerpt: ...been unable to break it down, and all the new emotions which she was trembling with and longing to express, had grown chilled. Presumably John must be pleased at the possibility of having a son since it was his heart's desire; but it almost seemed as though the subject embarrassed him! And all the beautiful things which she had meant to say to him about it remained unspoken. He was stolidly matter-of-fact. What could it all mean? At last she had become deeply hurt and had cried with a tremour in her voice the morning before he left her: "Oh! John, how different you have become; it can't be the same you who once called me 'Sweetheart' and held me so closely in your arms! Have I done anything to displease you, dearest? Aren't you glad that I am going to have a baby?" He had kissed her and assured her gravely that he was glad-overjoyed. And his eyes had been full of pain, and he had added that he was stupid and dull, but that she must not mind-it was only his way. "Alas!" she had answered and nothing more. She dwelt upon these things as she sat in the train gazing out of the window on the blank side. Yes. Joy was turning into dead sea fruit. How moving her thoughts had been when coming up to meet him! The marvel of love creating life had exalted her and she had longed to pour her tender visionings into the ears of-her lover! For John had been thus enshrined in her fond imagination! The whole idea of having a child to her was a sacred wonder with little of earth in it, and she had woven exquisite sentiment round it and had dreamed fair dreams of how she would whisper her thoughts to John as she lay clasped to his heart; and John, too, would be thrilled with exaltation, for was not the glorious mystery his as well-not hers alone? Now everything looked grey. Tears rose in her eyes. Then she took herself to task; it was perhaps only her foolish romance leading her astray once more. The thought might mean nothing to a man beyond the pride of having a...
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