WHAT BERRY FOUND
the real force of the situation came full upon him, and he bowed his head in his hands and wept like a child. The great sobs came up and stuck in his throat.
She crept up to him fearfully and laid her hand on his head.
"Don't cry, Be'y," she said; "I done wrong, but I loves you yit."
He seized her in his arms and held her tightly until he could control himself. Then he asked weakly, "Well, what am I goin' to do?"
"I do know, Be'y, 'ceptin' dat you 'll have to leave me"
"I won't! I 'll never leave you again." he replied doggedly.
"But, Be'y, you mus. You 'll only mek it ha'der on me, an' Gibson 'll beat me ag'in."
"Ag'in!"
She hung her head: "Yes."
He gripped himself hard.
"Why cain't you come on off wid me, Fannie? You was mine fus."
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