"The loss is great."

I shut my lips firmly, and leaned back, for he had put his hard hand
gently on my shoulder. It made me turn faint, with some weakness that
must have come down to me from my infant days, so meaningless was it. I
did not hear his answer; for with the same passionate feebleness I
caught the sleeve of his dressing-gown in my fingers, and began
smoothing it. It was the first thing I had ever made for him. I
remembered how proud I was the evening he put it on. He was looking down
steadily at me with his grave, reasonable eyes, and speaking when I
looked up.

"I have been knocked up and down so perpetually in my own life: that may
be the reason the change did not trouble me as it ought. It makes one
feel as if outside matters were but just the tithes of mint and
cumin,--a hurly-burly like that which I've lived in. I am sorry. I
thought you would grieve least of all, Hester. You are stronger-brained
than we Mannings, eh? I was sure the life meant so much more to you than
food or raiment."

"What do you mean by the life? Have I found it here, Daniel?"

"No, Hester?"

"I want work fit for me," I said, almost fiercely. "God made me for a
good, high purpose."

"I know," cheerfully. "We'll find it, dear: no man's work is kept back
from him. We'll find it together."

But under the cheerfulness there was a sad quiet, as of one who has lost
something forever, and tries to hide the loss from himself. There was a
moment's silence, then I got up, and pushed him down into my chair. I
took the gray head in my arms, leaned it on my shoulder, held the thin
bits of hair in my hand.

"Why, why, child!"

"Call me Hetty, Daniel. I'd like to think that name belonged to me yet."

"Surely, dear. Why! but--this is just the old times again, Hetty! You'll
be bringing me my slippers again."

"Yes, I will."

I went to the cupboard, and brought them, sitting down on the floor as
he put them on. Another of the old foolish tricks gone long ago. There
was a look on his face which had not been there this many a day. He had
such a credulous heart, so easy to waken into happiness. I took his
wrist in my bony hands, to raise myself; the muscles were like steel,
the cording veins throbbing with health; there was an indescribable rest
in the touch.

"Daniel," I said, looking him full in the face, "I'd like to have no
mission in God's world. I'd like to give up my soul, and forget
everything but you."

He did not answer.