Sorry, but Imafraid youll have to purchase a cab
for yourself tonight. She could hear her own voice, small and cracked because there
wasno breath behind it. Let me have a look at you, and tell me whetheryou have been
a good girl all this while. He remembered Macbeths, Oh,full of scorpions is my mind,
dear wife!
I doubt if Schubert ever heard them played so well.
We mustnt have little clouds creeping over our mornings.
He hadseemed pleased and amused, and was very
kind.
She wiped off a table with her apron, andspread a
clean napkin over it. Oh, my dear, I can readyour face like a book!
We were the closest of friends, long
ago.
Itwas quite possible that he had not meant at all
what she thought!
We had drifted apart, and for no good reason. When
they hadmet at the door, the light was behind him and she could not see hiseyes. But
she had taken a strong dislike to him and treated him harshly.
She wondered whether he did use white paint, or
aliquid powder, on his face at night.
This morning, on her way to the train, shebrought
me those, just as they are. She thought she had never beforeseen so many sad and
discouraged people. How strange, when he could have sent her word from thisbuilding
yesterday!
He was among the first to leave thechurch. When she
went there, she found Clement Sebastianseated by Auerbachs desk, talking to him. It
seemed complete in itself, not putting out tentacles all thewhile. She wondered
whether he did use white paint, or aliquid powder, on his face at night. How
strange, when he could have sent her word from thisbuilding yesterday!
He laughedas she came in, and dropped both hands
lightly on her shoulders. He showed it plainly, and I was disappointed andpiqued.
When they were seated in the cab he came to the point at once. It was from
Sebastian, asking whether she could meet him for tea atthe Auditorium at five
oclock.
There was a strangeheaviness under whatever she
did, as if she had swallowed lead. The day of Madame de Vignons funeral flashed up
in Lucys mind.
You eat a good breakfast today, I expect? She did
not want to sign her name, but the messenger boy insistedthat it was necessary. The
difficulty isthat Clement can never work with anyone who isnt personallysympathetic
to him.
There was something else that disturbed
her.
It was from Sebastian, asking whether she could
meet him for tea atthe Auditorium at five oclock.
For thefirst time it occurred to Lucy that even
this smiling little manmight have his regrets.
Perhaps you will dream that we are both twenty, and
are taking awalking trip in the French Alps.
The difficulty isthat Clement can never work with
anyone who isnt personallysympathetic to him.
I cant helpwondering why he didnt wish to see me
again. A little later Lucy put on her high overshoes and hurried to thebank to cash
her cheque.
It was more like a chivalrous loyalty than ayoung
passion.