“No, perhaps I didn’t. Let me be, Olver; I’ve troubles enough without you moidering me.” “And are you the only one to have troubles?” “Let me be, Olver, I tell you.” “No, I won’t let you be. I’ve a grudge against you. I’ve thought it out.” “I’m not well, Olver; keep your grudge till I’ve got my baby. Then I’ll have it out with you if I must.” “You hadn’t any pity on Nicco.” “Oh, that’s how the land lies, is it?” “No use being brazen about it, Daisy. I’m here to speak for Nicco, and nothing you say’ll stop me.” “If you don’t let me be, I’ll tell Nicholas, and he’ll be angry with you.” “I’m not afraid of Nicco.” “Oh, yes, you are. We all are. Even me,--and I’m his wife.” “A pretty wife. Nicco can kill me if he likes; I’ll speak first. I know better what’s good for him than he knows himself. You’ve broken his heart.” “Not me, Olver, not me only. His heart would have been broken anyhow. And God knows he’s breaking mine.” “Who cares about yours? Nicco’s worth everything.” “I know that, do you suppose I don’t know that? It’s making me mad, Olver. Can’t you have a little pity on me and leave me to myself?” “I wouldn’t have any pity for you, not if you were dying.” “Well, I shall be dying before very long, if that’s any consolation to you.” “You aren’t the sort that dies. Nicco’ll have you stuck to him for years; he’ll leave you before you leave him.” “Don’t say that, Olver; he’s strong; different, but as strong as me.” “Oh, his body’s strong enough, but there’s something burns him away inside. Look at his eyes.” “Olver, don’t say such terrible things. What do you know? I never can tell how much you know,--you’re simple, aren’t you? He doesn’t complain. He doesn’t complain to you, does he?” “He’ll die, but he won’t have complained once. And we shall never know. He’s good to us both, isn’t he?” “Good,--yes, he’s good; but you don’t understand, Olver, you needn’t rub it into me how good he is or how much he’s worth. I know it already, I love him so much it makes me sick and mad. It’s almost too much for me, what I have to put up with, what with one thing and another.... Now go away, can’t you? I’ve told you, I’ve admitted it all to you; I can’t put it more plainly.” “He’s good to you just as he’s good to me; he hasn’t a ha’pennyworth of feeling for you.” “I know, Olver, I know; can’t you leave me alone? I’m not well, I tell you; it isn’t the moment to come baiting me.” “There’s another woman he wanted....” “You shan’t speak of her!” screamed Daisy.