Jeff Campbell paused on this, and he was silent with the power of Melanctha’s meaning.  They sat there together very silent, a long time.  “Well Jeff Campbell,” said Melanctha.  “Oh,” said Dr. Campbell and he moved himself a little, and then they were very silent a long time.  “Haven’t you got nothing to say to me Jeff Campbell?” said Melanctha.  “Why yes, what was it we were just saying about to one another.  You see Miss Melanctha I am a very quiet, slow minded kind of fellow, and I am never sure I know just exactly what you mean by all that you are always saying to me.  But I do like you very much Miss Melanctha and I am very sure you got very good things in you all the time.  You sure do believe what I am saying to you Miss Melanctha.”  “Yes I believe it when you say it to me, Jeff Campbell,” said Melanctha, and then she was silent and there was much sadness in it.  “I guess I go in and lie down again Dr. Campbell,” said Melanctha.  “Don’t go leave me Miss Melanctha,” said Jeff Campbell quickly.  “Why not, what you want of me Jeff Campbell?” said Melanctha.  “Why,” said Jeff Campbell slowly, “I just want to go on talking with you.  I certainly do like talking about all kinds of things with you.  You certainly know that all right, Miss Melanctha.”  “I guess I go lie down again and leave you here with your thinking,” said Melanctha gently.  “I certainly am very tired to night Dr. Campbell.  Good night I hope you rest well Dr. Campbell.”  Melanctha stooped over him, where he was sitting, to say this good night, and then, very quick and sudden, she kissed him and then, very quick again, she went away and left him.

Dr. Campbell sat there very quiet, with only a little thinking and sometimes a beginning feeling, and he was alone until it began to be morning, and then he went, and Melanctha helped him, and he made ‘Mis’ Herbert more easy in her dying.  ‘Mis’ Herbert lingered on till about ten o’clock the next morning, and then slowly and without much pain she died away.  Jeff Campbell staid till the last moment, with Melanctha, to make her mother’s dying easy for her.  When it was over he sent in the colored woman from next door to help Melanctha fix things, and then he went away to take care of his other patients.  He came back very soon to Melanctha.  He helped her to have a funeral for her mother.  Melanctha then went to live with the good natured woman, who had been her neighbor.  Melanctha still saw Jeff Campbell very often.  Things began to be very strong between them.

Melanctha now never wandered, unless she was with Jeff Campbell.  Sometimes she and he wandered a good deal together.  Jeff Campbell had not got over his way of talking to her all the time about all the things he was always thinking.  Melanctha never talked much, now, when they were together.  Sometimes Jeff Campbell teased her about her not talking to him.  “I certainly did think Melanctha you was a great talker from the way Jane Harden and everybody said things to me, and from the way I heard