Part 76 (2/2)
”Oh, my dear, my dear,” she murmured, quick and pa.s.sionate, ”as if I should ever care how you looked as long as you were--just you. My dear, my dear, you have come back to me from the very gates of death because I--I--”
”Because you nursed me so tenderly!”
”Ah, no, there were others to do that--no, G.o.d gave you back to me because He is merciful, and because I love you--want you--need you so much!”
”Oh, my Hermione--Kiss me!”
A knock at the door, and, quick-breathing, she drew from him as the voice of Mrs. Trapes reached them.
”Ten minutes is up!” she announced as she entered, ”and Hermy, if you don't want th' doctor t' see you in your nightdress an' that--”
”Ann!” gasped Hermione, drawing the folds of her kimono about her.
”Anyway, he's coming.”
Up sprang Hermione, in doing which she lost a slipper.
”Give it me!” she pleaded, for Ravenslee had caught it up.
”Dear, you have one--be content,” he answered. ”And surely I may kiss my wife's slipper without you having to blush so--so deliciously, Hermione?”
”It's so--old and shabby!” said she faintly.
”That's why I kiss it.”
”An' here comes th' doctor!” said Mrs. Trapes. Whereat Hermione incontinent fled away, white foot agleam. Then Ravenslee, having kissed the little slipper quite brazenly under Mrs. Trapes's staring eyes, tucked it beneath his pillow.
”Why, Mr. Geoffrey!” said Mrs. Trapes.
CHAPTER x.x.xVI
CONCERNING A CLEW
”Mrs. Trapes,” said Ravenslee, laying aside the book he had been reading and letting his glance wander across smooth lawns and clipped yew hedges, ”Mrs. Trapes, what about that stewed s.h.i.+n of beef with carrots and onions you prepared for--our wedding supper?”
”Which,” said Mrs. Trapes, glancing up from her everlasting knitting, ”which you never stopped to eat.”
”Which omission I will now haste to rectify. Mrs. Trapes, pray go and get it ready--I'm ravenous!”
”Good f'r you!” said Mrs. Trapes; ”in about half an hour you shall have a nice cup of beef tea to raven at--”
”Confounded slops!” growled Ravenslee.
”Doctor's orders!” nodded Mrs. Trapes, clicking her knitting needles.
”Can't I have something to chew at?”
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