'It will hurt less.'
He did not speak.
'I'll come down to the gate with you.'
They walked in silence down the drive. The air was heavy with
contentment. He hummed a tune.
'Good-bye, Bill, dear.'
He took her hand dully.
'Good-bye,' he said.
Elizabeth stood at the gate, watching. He swung down the road with
long strides. At the bend he turned and for a moment stood there,
as if waiting for her to make some sign. Then he fell into his
stride again and was gone. Elizabeth leaned on the gate. Her face
was twisted, and she clutched the warm wood as if it gave her
strength.
The grounds were very empty. The spirit of loneliness brooded on
them. Elizabeth walked slowly back to the house. Nutty was coming
towards her from the orchard.
'Halloa!' said Nutty.
He was cheerful and debonair. His little eyes were alight with
contentment. He hummed a tune.
'Where's Dawlish?' he said.
'He has gone.'
Nutty's tune failed in the middle of a bar. Something in his
sister's voice startled him. The glow of contentment gave way to a
look of alarm.
'Gone? How do you mean--gone? You don't mean--gone?'
'Yes.'
'Gone away?'
'Gone away.'
They had reached the house before he spoke again.
'You don't mean--gone away?'
'Yes.'
'Do you mean--gone away?'
'Yes.
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