"Well, thine as well-- thine and mine and-- and damn the lot of them!" He pulls away, embarrassed to be treading so near to sensitive territory, embarrassed that Feuilly can so easily tell.

But a thought occurs (it should have come sooner, probably), and he turns sharply back.

"But the cases are not alike. I have not done what-- by duty was I made to choose, and I left him not bereft, not alone. He hath all he needs, there is naught he doth require of me some other may no give him."