I told you. I told you even this morning! 'Loving you makes me afraid,' I said. 'I am afraid now you have him I am unnecessary and if I left you would not miss me,' I said. 'I am afraid you made me fight you so hard for this chance because you do not truly want me, you are only allowing me to be with you,' I said. 'Tell me I am wrong.'

And you did not. You said nothing but to make sure I had meant to ask Bastien be included. Offered me no reassurance, did not reach even for my hand. You lift no covers, spread no arms for me to make sure that I know I am welcome. What shall I think but that I am right to have feared?

[ She looks at Bastien with a flash of her own shame, and speaks softly. ]

You have done nothing wrong. Stay. We have all had terrible dreams and you are kinder than I can be, now. Someone should be kind to him.

[ And back to Byerly. ]

Let me go home. I am tired, and hurt, and I wish to weep, and I have had enough of simply being watched at it.