Except for a pallor
strange to her face and a drawn look about her eyes, there was
nothing to show that all was not for the best with Elizabeth in a
best of all possible worlds. If she did not look jaunty, she at
least looked composed. She greeted Bill with a smile.
'I didn't wake you. I thought I would let you sleep on.'
The words had the effect of lending an additional clarity and
firmness of outline to the picture of himself which Bill had
already drawn in his mind--of a soulless creature sunk in hoggish
slumber.
'We've had breakfast. Nutty has gone for a walk. Isn't he
wonderful nowadays? I've kept your breakfast warm for you.'
Bill protested. He might be capable of sleep, but he was not going
to sink to food.
'Not for me, thanks,' he said, hollowly.
'Come along.'
'Honestly--'
'Come along.'
He followed her meekly. How grimly practical women were! They let
nothing interfere with the essentials of life. It seemed all
wrong. Nevertheless, he breakfasted well and gratefully, Elizabeth
watching him in silence across the table.
'Finished?'
'Yes, thanks.'
She hesitated for a moment.
'Well, Bill, I've slept on it. Things are in rather a muddle,
aren't they? I think I had better begin by explaining what led up
to those words you heard Nutty say last night.
Pages:
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253