Dan 's face was eager now , and he hid away the little worn case as if defying any hand to take it from him . Anxious to know everything before giving counsel or comfort , Mrs Jo said quietly : ` Keep it , and tell me all about the `` fancy '' . Since I have stumbled on your secret , let me know how it came , and how I can help to make it lighter to bear . ' ` You 'll laugh ; but I do n't mind . You always did find out our secrets and give us a lift . Well , I never cared much for books , you know ; but down yonder when the devil tormented me I had to do something or go stark mad , so I read both the books you gave me . One was beyond me , till that good old man showed me how to read it ; but the other , this one , was a comfort , I tell you . It amused me , and was as pretty as poetry . I liked 'em all , and most wore out Sintram . See how used up he is ! Then I came to this , and it sort of fitted that other happy part of my life , last summer -- here . ' Dan stopped a moment as the words lingered on his lips ; then , with a long breath , went on , as if it was hard to lay bare the foolish little romance he had woven about a girl , a picture , and a child 's story there in the darkness of the place which was as terrible to him as Dante 's Inferno , till he found his Beatrice . ' I could n't sleep , and had to think about something , so I used to fancy I was Folko , and see the shining of Aslauga 's hair in the sunset on the wall , the gum of the watchman 's lamp , and the light that came in at dawn . My cell was high . I could see a bit of sky ; sometimes there was a star in it , and that was most as good as a face . I set great store by that patch of blue , and when a white cloud went by , I thought it was the prettiest thing in all this world . I guess I was pretty near a fool ; but those thoughts and things helped me through , so they are all solemn true to me , and I ca n't let them go . The dear shiny head , the white gown , the eyes like stars , and sweet , calm ways that set her as high above me as the moon in heaven . Do n't take it away ! it 's only a fancy , but a man must love something , and I 'd better love a spirit like her than any of the poor common girls who would care for me . '
The quiet despair in Dan 's voice pierced Mrs XXXXX to the heart ; but there was no hope and she gave none .
Aslauga Beatrice Dan Dante Folko Jo Sintram books hair watchman