Part 44 (2/2)

”Did I speak loud enough for you to hear, or didn't I?”

”Yes, sir, but----”

”Then go and tell Mrs. Eustace I'm here.”

He was nearly at the door of the sitting-room when Mrs. Eustace, having heard his voice, reached the pa.s.sage.

”Ah,” he exclaimed. ”I want to talk to you. Just come in here, will you?”

He held the door open for her and waited till she pa.s.sed in. Then he followed and closed the door.

”Just excuse me one minute,” he said as he remained standing by the door which he suddenly flung open again.

”I thought so,” he cried, as he saw Bessie in the pa.s.sage. ”You clear out of it. What I've got to say to Mrs. Eustace don't concern you, nor Jim the barman. Do you hear?”

Bessie heard, and scurried.

”It's only fair to tell you,” he said, turning to Mrs. Eustace, ”that what that girl sees and hears here goes to Jim the barman who, if you don't know it, tells Soden, and Soden tells the town. You understand?”

He limped across the room and sat down.

”I've come in to tell you something,” he went on. ”When I got here I heard the news. But that makes no difference to what I had to tell you.

I can still tell you. But I must say something else first. You wouldn't stay on at Taloona when I asked you, but that was your business. Now this has come to you. I'm no hand at talking sympathy, but if you want anything that I can get for you it's yours--you understand?”

He leaned forward, with his hands on his knees, looking her steadily in the face.

”Thank you, Mr. Dudgeon, I--I understand,” she said haltingly.

”That's what I thought you'd say,” he remarked as he sat back. ”I know it's a sad business for you, as it stands, and I'd rather you never had it. You're the first woman I've felt that way about for more years than you've lived. But I'm sorry for you, hang me if I'm not.”

”It is--good of you to say so,” she murmured.

”Still, you're young, and there are many years before you which won't be all sad, you may be sure. But now you're a widow will you come to Taloona?”

She looked up quickly without replying.

”I don't care how it is. You can make it your home as a guest, or you can come as Mrs. Dudgeon.”

”Oh, please, Mr. Dudgeon,” she exclaimed as she stood up. ”You--I know you don't mean to hurt me, but----”

She broke off and turned away.

”It wasn't said to hurt you,” he said. ”It was only to show you what I'd do for you. Seemed to me it was the best way to put it. I only want you to understand I'm with you whatever comes along. Will you take it that way?”

”I know,” she exclaimed impulsively, as she crossed over to him and laid her hand on his shoulder. ”I know how you mean it, Mr. Dudgeon, and I appreciate it more than I can say. It was the----”

”The clumsy way I put it,” he said, as she hesitated. ”That's all right.

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