"All men have
their lapses," he went on; "there are times--there are days
and weeks when I--when my--" The word "nerves" touched his
tongue, hung upon it, then died away unspoken.
Very quietly, almost without a sound, Eve had risen and turned
towards him. She was standing very straight, her face a
little pale, the hand that rested on the arm of her chair
trembling slightly.
"John," she said, quickly, "don't say that word? Don't say
that hideous word `nerves'! I don't feel that I can bear it
to-night--not just to-night. Can you understand?"
Loder stepped back. Without comprehending, he felt suddenly
and strangely at a loss. Something in her face struck him
silent and perplexed. It seemed that without preparation he
had stepped upon dangerous ground. With an undefined
apprehension he waited, looking at her.
"I can't explain it," she went on with nervous haste, "I can't
give any reasons, but quite suddenly the--the farce has grown
unbearable. I used not to think--used not even to care--but
suddenly things have changed--or I have changed.
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