I can imagine," smiling wanly,
"how he would scorn the idea of his needing a guardian, but I feel
as if it were my duty to be with him, to stand by him when every
one else has deserted him. Besides," after an instant's
hesitation, "I feel--I suppose it is unreasonable, but I feel as if
I had neglected my duty before; as if perhaps I had not watched him
as carefully as I should, or encouraged him to confide in me; I
can't help feeling that perhaps if I had been more careful in this
way the dreadful thing might not have happened. . . . Oh," she
added, turning away again, "I don't know why I am telling all these
things to you, I'm sure. They can't interest you much, and the
telling isn't likely to profit either of us greatly. But I am so
alone, and I have brooded over my troubles so much. As I said I
have felt as if I must talk with some one. But there--good
morning, Mr. Winslow."
"Just a minute, please, Mrs. Armstrong; just a minute. Hasn't your
brother got any friends in Middleford who could help him get some
work--a job--you know what I mean? Seems as if he must have, or
you must have."
"Oh, we have, I suppose. We had some good friends there, as well
as others whom we thought were friends. But--but I think we both
had rather die than go back there; I am sure I should. Think what
it would mean to both of us.
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