Part 16 (1/2)

The car came to a standstill. ”Do you mind getting out first?” said Monck.

She got out with a dazed sense of unreality. He followed her immediately; his hand, hard and muscular, grasped her arm. He led her up the wooden steps all s.h.i.+ning and slippery in the rain.

In the shelter of the verandah he stopped. ”Wait here a moment!” he said.

But Stella turned swiftly, detaining him. ”No, no!” she said. ”I am coming with you. I would rather know at once.”

He shrugged his shoulders without remonstrance, and stood back for her to precede him. Later it seemed to her that it was the most merciful thing he could have done. At the time she did not pause to thank him, but went swiftly past, taking her way straight along the verandah to Tommy's room.

The window was open, and a bar of light stretched therefrom like a fiery sword into the streaming rain. Just for a second that gleaming shaft daunted her. Something within her shrank affrighted. Then, aware of Monck immediately behind her, she conquered her dread and entered. She saw that the bar of light came from a hooded lamp which was turned towards the window, leaving the bed in shadow. Over the latter a man was bending. He straightened himself sharply at her approach, and she recognized Major Ralston.

And then she had reached the bed, and all the love in her heart pulsed forth in yearning tenderness as she stooped. ”Tommy!” she said. ”My darling!”

He did not stir in answer. He lay like a figure carved in marble.

Suddenly the rays of the lamp were turned upon him, and she saw that his face was livid. The eyes were closed and sunken. A terrible misgiving stabbed her. Almost involuntarily she drew back.

In the same moment she felt Monck's hands upon her. He was unb.u.t.toning the overcoat in which she was wrapped. She stood motionless, feeling cold, powerless, strangely dependent upon him.

As he stripped the coat back from her shoulders, he spoke, his voice very measured and quiet, but kind also, even soothing.

”Don't give up!” he said. ”We'll pull him through between us.”

A queer little thrill went through her. Again she felt as if he had imparted strength. She turned back to the bed.

Major Ralston was on the other side. Across that silent form he spoke to her.

”See if you can get him to take this! I am afraid he's past it. But try!”

She saw that he was holding a spoon, and she commanded herself and took it from him. She wondered at the steadiness of her own hand as she put it to the white, unconscious lips. They were rigidly closed, and for a few moments she thought her task was hopeless. Then very slowly they parted. She slipped the spoon between.

The silence in the room was deathly, the heat intense, heavy, pall-like. Outside, the rain fell monotonously, and, mingling with its beating, she heard the croaking of innumerable frogs. Neither Ralston nor Monck stirred a finger. They were watching closely with bated breath.

Tommy's breathing was wholly imperceptible, but in that long, long pause she fancied she saw a slight tremor at his throat. Then the liquid that had been in the spoon began to trickle out at the corner of his mouth.

She stood up, turning instinctively to the man beside her. ”Oh, it's no use,” she said hopelessly.

He bent swiftly forward. ”Let me try! Quick, Ralston! Have it ready!

That's it. Now then, Tommy! Now, lad!”

He had taken her place almost before she knew it. She saw him stoop with absolute a.s.surance and slip his arm under the boy's shoulders. Tommy's inert head fell back against him, but she saw his strong right hand come out and take the spoon that Ralston held out. His dark face was bent to his task, and it held no dismay, only unswerving determination.

”Tommy!” he said again, and in his voice was a certain grim tenderness that moved her oddly, sending the tears to her eyes before she could check them. ”Tommy, wake up, man! If you think you're going out now, you're d.a.m.n well mistaken. Wake up, do you hear? Wake up and swallow this stuff! There! You've got it. Now swallow--do you hear?--swallow!”

He held the spoon between Tommy's lips till it was emptied of every drop; then thrust it back at Ralston.

”Here take it! Pour out some more! Now, Tommy lad, it's up to you!

Swallow it like a dear fellow! Yes, you can if you try. Give your mind to it! Pull up, boy, pull up! play the d.a.m.n game! Don't go back on me!

Ah, you didn't know I was here, did you? Thought you'd slope while my back was turned. You weren't quick enough, my lad. You've got to come back.”