`` No , we are real friends now , Leslie , and I am very glad . '' `` I hope you wo n't misunderstand me if I say something else . Anne , I was grieved to the core of my heart when you lost your baby ; and if I could have saved her for you by cutting off one of my hands I would have done it . But your sorrow has brought us closer together . Your perfect happiness is n't a barrier any longer . Oh , do n't misunderstand , dearest -- I 'm NOT glad that your happiness is n't perfect any longer -- I can say that sincerely ; but since it is n't , there is n't such a gulf between us . '' `` I DO understand that , too , Leslie . Now , we 'll just shut up the past and forget what was unpleasant in it . It 's all going to be different . We 're both of the race of Joseph now . I think you 've been wonderful -- wonderful . And , Leslie , I ca n't help believing that life has something good and beautiful for you yet . '' Leslie shook her head . `` No , '' she said dully . `` There is n't any hope . Dick will never be better -- and even if his memory were to come back -- oh , Anne , it would be worse , even worse , than it is now . This is something you ca n't understand , you happy bride . Anne , did Miss Cornelia ever tell you how I came to marry Dick ? '' `` Yes . '' `` I 'm glad -- I wanted you to know -- but I could n't bring myself to talk of it if you had n't known .
XXXXX , it seems to me that ever since I was twelve years old life has been bitter .
Anne Cornelia Dick Joseph Leslie barrier core heart life race