He ground his teeth in fury. Oh, he was an innocent‚ÅÝ‚Äîa blind baby‚ÅÝ‚Äîthe joke and laughingstock of the country around, with yokels grinning at him and pale-faced devils laughing aloud. The teachers knew; the girls knew; God knew; everybody but he knew‚ÅÝ‚Äîpoor blind, deaf mole, stupid jackass that he was. He must run‚ÅÝ‚Äîrun away from this world, and far off in some free land beat back this pain.
Then in sheer weariness the anger died within his soul, leaving but ashes and despair. Slowly he turned away, but with a quick motion she stood in his path.
“Bles,” she cried, “how can I grow pure?”
He looked at her listlessly.
‚ÄúNever‚ÅÝ‚Äînever again,‚Äù he slowly answered her.
Dark fear swept her drawn face.
“Never?” she gasped.
Pity surged and fought in his breast; but one thought held and burned him. He bent to her fiercely:
“Who?” he demanded.
She pointed toward the Cresswell Oaks, and he turned away. She did not attempt to stop him again, but dropped her hands and stared drearily up into the clear sky with its shining worlds.
‚ÄúGoodbye, Bles,‚Äù she said slowly. ‚ÄúI thank God he gave you to me‚ÅÝ‚Äîjust a little time.‚Äù She hesitated and waited. There came no word as the man moved slowly away. She stood motionless. Then slowly he turned and came back. He laid his hand a moment, lightly, upon her head.