‘Well, for instance, Mrs Benn,’ I said with a laugh, ‘at one point in your letter, you write – now let me see – “the rest of my life stretches out like an emptiness before me.” Some words to that effect.’ ‘Really, Mr Stevens,’ she said, also laughing a little. ‘I couldn’t have written any such thing.’ ‘Oh, I assure you you did, Mrs Benn. I recall it very clearly.’ ‘Oh dear. Well, perhaps there are some days when I feel like that. But they pass quickly enough. Let me assure you, Mr Stevens, my life does not stretch out emptily before me. For one thing, we are looking forward to the grandchild.
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