`` I 've been a wicked woman , '' she moaned . A week from that day Theodosia climbed down from the dusty stage that had brought her from the station over the prairies to the unpretentious little house where Wesley Brooke lived . A young girl , so like what Ogden Greene 's wife had been fifteen years before that Theodosia involuntarily exclaimed , `` Phoebe , '' came to the door . Beyond her , Theodosia saw the white-capped nurse . Her voice trembled . `` Does -- does Wesley Brooke live here ? '' she asked . The girl nodded . `` Yes . But he is very ill at present . Nobody is allowed to see him . '' Theodosia put up her hand and loosened her bonnet strings as if they were choking her . She had been sick with the fear that Wesley would be dead before she got to him . The relief was almost overwhelming . `` But I must see him , '' she cried hysterically -- she , the calm , easy-going Dosia , hysterical -- `` I am his wife -- and oh , if he had died before I got here ! '' The nurse came forward . `` In that case I suppose you must , '' she conceded . `` But he does not expect you . I must prepare him for the surprise . '' She turned to the door of a room opening off the kitchen , but Theodosia , who had hardly heard her , was before her .
She was inside the room XXXXX the nurse could prevent her .
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