ll," said Melanctha slowly. "I certainly do
care for you Jeff Campbell less than you are always thinking and much
more than you are ever knowing."

Jeff Campbell paused on this, and he was silent with the power of
Melanctha's meaning. They sat there together very silent, a long time.
"Well Jeff Campbell," said Melanctha. "Oh," said Dr. Campbell and he
moved himself a little, and then they were very silent a long time.
"Haven't you got nothing to say to me Jeff Campbell?" said Melanctha.
"Why yes, what was it we were just saying about to one another. You
see Miss Melanctha I am a very quiet, slow minded kind of fellow, and
I am never sure I know just exactly what you mean by all that you are
always saying to me. But I do like you very much Miss Melanctha and I
am very sure you got very good things in you all the time. You sure
do believe what I am saying to you Miss Melanctha." "Yes I believe it
when you say it to me, Jeff Campbell," said Melanctha, and then she
was silent and there was much sadness in it. "I guess I go in and
lie down again Dr. Campbell," said Melanctha. "Don't go leave me Miss
Melanctha," said Jeff Campbell quickly. "Why not, what you want of me
Jeff Campbell?" said Melanctha. "Why," said Jeff Campbell slowly, "I
just want to go on talking with you. I certainly do like talking about
all kinds of things with you. You certainly know that all right, Miss
Melanctha." "I guess I go lie down again and leave you here with your
thinking," said Melanctha gently. "I certainly am very tired to night
Dr. Campbell. Good night I hope you rest well Dr. Campbell." Melanctha
stooped over him, where he was sitting, to say this good night, and
then, very quick and sudden, she kissed him and then, very quick
again, she went away and left him.

Dr. Campbell sat there very quiet, with only a little thinking and
sometimes a beginning feeling, and he was alone until it began to be
morning, and then he went, and Melanctha helped him, and he made 'Mis'
Herbert more easy in her dying. 'Mis' Herbert lingered on till about
ten o'clock the next morning, and then slowly and without much
pain she died away. Jeff Campbell staid till the last moment, with
Melanctha, to make her mother's dying easy for her. When it was over
he sent in the colored woman from next door to help Melanctha fix
things, and then he went away to take care of his other patients. He
came back very soon to Melanctha. He helped her to have a funeral for
her mothe