And how grateful she felt to Aylmer for his wonderful
self-control. Thanks to that, she could look Bruce in the face.... Bruce
was speaking.
'Edith,' he said with some agitation, 'I wish to tell you something.'
She saw he looked pale and nervous.
'What is it, Bruce?' she asked kindly.
'It's this,' he said in a somewhat pompous tone, 'I am in a very strange
condition of health. I find I can no longer endure to live in London; I
must get away from the war. The doctor says so. If I'm to keep sane, if
I'm not to commit suicide, I must give up this domestic life.' She
stared at him. 'Yes, I'm sorry, I've tried to endure it,' he went on. 'I
can't stand the responsibility, the anxiety of the children and
everything. I'm--I'm going away.'
She said nothing, looking at him in silence.
'Yes. I'm going to America. I've taken my passage. I'm going on
Friday.... I thought of leaving without telling you, but I decided it
was better to be open.'
'But, Bruce, do you mean for a trip?'
He stood up and looked at her full in the face.
'No, I don't mean for a trip. I want to live in America.'
'And you don't want me to come too?'
'No, Edith; I can't endure married life any longer.
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