haveforfeitedanyclaim.I\'veneglectedyou,andI\'veneglectedthechildren.Ourmarriagehasbeenonafalsebasisfromthestart,andI\'vebeentoblameforit.Thereismoretobesaidaboutthechancesforasuccessfulmarriageinthesedays,butI\'mnotgoingtodwellonthatnow,orattempttoshoulderoffmyshortcomingsonmybringingup,onthecivilizationinwhichwehavelived.You\'vetriedtodoyourshare,andthefailurehasn\'tbeenyourfault.IwanttotellyoufirstofallthatIrecognizeyourrighttoliveyourlifefromnowon,independentlyofme,ifyousodesire.Yououghttohavethechildren——\"
Ihesitatedamoment.ItwasthehardestthingIhadtosay.\"I\'venevertroubledmyselfaboutthem,I\'venevertakenonanyresponsibilityinregardtotheirbringingup.\"
\"Hugh!\"shecried.
\"Wait——I\'vegotmoretotellyou,thatyououghttoknow.Ishouldn\'tbehereto-dayifNancyDurretthadconsentedto——togetadivorceandmarryme.WehadagreedtothatwhenthisaccidenthappenedtoHam,andshewentbacktohim.IhavetotellyouthatIstillloveher——Ican\'tsayhowmuch,ordefinemyfeelingstowardhernow.I\'vegivenupallideaofher.Idon\'tthinkI\'dmarryhernow,evenifIhadthechance,andyoushoulddecidetoliveawayfromme.Idon\'tknow.I\'mnotsosureofmyselfasIoncewas.Thefactis,Maude,circumstanceshavebeentoomuchforme.I\'vebeenbeaten.AndI\'mnotatallcertainthatitwasn\'tacowardlythingformetocomebacktoyouatall.\"
Ifeltherhandtremblingundermine,butIhadnotthecouragetolookather.Iheardhercallmynameagainalittlecry,theverypoignancyofpityanddistress.Italmostunnervedme.