What wild , terrible rovings we had , she straining forward , eager to overtake the dream-child ; I , sick at heart , following , guiding , protecting , as best I could ; then afterwards leading her gently home , heart-broken because she could not reach the child . I bore my burden in secret , determining that gossip should not busy itself with my wife 's condition so long as I could keep it from becoming known . We had no near relatives -- none with any right to share any trouble -- and whoso accepteth human love must bind it to his soul with pain . I thought , however , that I should have medical advice , and I took our old doctor into my confidence . He looked grave when he heard my story . I did not like his expression nor his few guarded remarks . He said he thought human aid would avail little ; she might come all right in time ; humor her , as far as possible , watch over her , protect her . He needed not to tell me THAT . The spring went out and summer came in -- and the horror deepened and darkened . I knew that suspicions were being whispered from lip to lip . We had been seen on our nightly quests . Men and women began to look at us pityingly when we went abroad . One day , on a dull , drowsy afternoon , the dream-child called . I knew then that the end was near ; the end had been near in the old grandmother 's case sixty years before when the dream-child called in the day . The doctor looked graver than ever when I told him , and said that the time had come when I must have help in my task . I could not watch by day and night . Unless I had assistance I would break down . I did not think that I should . Love is stronger than that . And on one thing I was determined -- they should never take my wife from me .
No restraint sterner XXXXX a husband 's loving hand should ever be put upon her , my pretty , piteous darling .
as by in into near on over than to with