Part 58 (2/2)
”I would tell you, though,” she went on. ”With that understanding ...
yes.”
He did not touch her, sensing the physical revulsion she must still feel. His voice trembled in joyful disbelief. ”You'll really----”
”I am your wife. And I love you.”
Her fingers brushed his hand; he s.h.i.+vered in pa.s.sionate repression.
”Jane----” A troubled crease roughened his forehead, ”I'll try----”
”That's all I can ask.”
They sat in dynamic silence, intent on their diverse thoughts. He relaxed into restful satisfaction, havened again; her doubtful fancies strove to shape of crumbling material some firm future for them both.
Her words came with difficulty. ”What you ought to do, Pell, is to get work with the Federal Mining Commission. Was.h.i.+ngton outlooks are broader than Adamsville; particularly in war-time. That's your chance.”
Worn with multiplied disappointments, he was unable to follow her enthusiasm. ”We couldn't----”
She filled in details. ”Senator Johnson would put in a word for you.
Congressman Head's practically a socialist. Why not get it?”
”If you realized how downhearted----”
”You write to-morrow.” She smoothed his tousled hair with the old familiar gesture. ”It's an endless fight, dear.”
”I think you'd better sell the car,” she told him, the morning the federal commission arrived. ”You may be sent anywhere now--our bank balance is low.” She stopped halfway down the stairs, to wipe off a picture dusty from its weeks of neglect.
”It's fine to be back in harness again!”
”Marital, Pell?”
His comfortable grin answered her. ”Both kinds.”
”You'll be sorry to leave Adamsville?”
”The iron-hearted city.... Sorry--and glad, too. It's one of the finest places in America--to leave.”
Her nostrils wrinkled with the old-time intimate charm. ”You have deteriorated.”
”What could you expect, with myself as my only audience?”
Then he regretted leaving the way open for reference to another auditor; but, after a noncommittal scrutiny, she did not pursue that topic.
”And then,” Pelham continued hurriedly, ”we're not leaving it forever.
We'll return for another round with the triumphant malefactors.”
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