Without
a word he coiled his long form in a chair. There was silence in
the stricken house.
'What's the time?'
Elizabeth glanced at her watch.
'Half-past nine.'
'About now,' said Nutty, sepulchrally, 'the blighter is ringing
for his man to prepare his bally bath and lay out his gold-leaf
underwear. After that he will drive down to the bank and draw some
of our money.'
The day passed wearily for Elizabeth. Nutty having the air of one
who is still engaged in picking up the pieces, she had not the
heart to ask him to play his customary part in the household
duties, so she washed the dishes and made the beds herself. After
that she attended to the bees. After that she cooked lunch.
Nutty was not chatty at lunch. Having observed 'About now the
blighter is cursing the waiter for bringing the wrong brand of
champagne,' he relapsed into a silence which he did not again
break.
Elizabeth was busy again in the afternoon. At four o'clock,
feeling tired out, she went to her room to lie down until the next
of her cycle of domestic duties should come round.
It was late when she came downstairs, for she had fallen asleep.
The sun had gone down. Bees were winging their way heavily back to
the hives with their honey. She went out into the grounds to try
to find Nutty.
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