Part 28 (1/2)
That was true enough, or she would not have been as close to him as she was.
”It was bad enough when you didn't come on Sunday. I suppose you didn't get back from that Mrs. What's-her-name, your mother's friend, in time?”
”My dear, I had a chapter of accidents, and nearly missed the last train; I'll tell you all about it some day, and you'll laugh. I didn't feel like laughing then, I can tell you that.”
”And I didn't feel like laughing, and I can tell you that. In fact, I--I cried.”
”Stella!”
”I did; it seemed so awful. That was the longest Sunday I ever knew; and then when the evening came I kept expecting you every moment; I kept rus.h.i.+ng out of the front door to look for you. Every footstep in the street I thought was yours, and every vehicle the hansom which was bringing you; when it kept getting later and later, and still you didn't come, I--I fancied all sorts of things, and I simply had to cry.”
”My darling, I would infinitely rather have been with you than where I was.”
That again was true enough; part of the time he had been in the tunnel--a gruesome time.
”What time was it when you did get back?”
”Frightfully late; but--Stella, you won't tell anyone if I tell you something? Promise!”
”Of course I promise. What--what is it?”
”You can laugh if you like; I don't mind your laughing a little bit; but I don't want them to laugh.”
”Why should they laugh?”
”I did come to see you--after I came back.”
”Rodney!”
”At least, I came as far as the outside of the house. I dismissed the cab at the corner; then I walked--or rather sneaked--along the pavement; if a bobby had seen me he'd have been all suspicion--till I reached the house. It was all in darkness; there wasn't a glimmer of light anywhere.”
”What time was it?”
”About one, perhaps later.”
”Rodney, I'd been in my room hours and hours; but I wasn't asleep; I was crying in bed.”
”Stella! You were crying! Great Scott! if--if I'd only known it, I'd--I'd have done something.”
”What would you have done?”
”I'd--I'd have done something if--if I'd had to break a window!”
”But what good would your breaking a window have done me?”
”Anyhow, it would have been a beginning; but, you see, I didn't even know which your room was--whether you were at the front or the back.”
”I'm on the second floor in the front; my window's over the hall door.”
”I kept staring at it all the time; I had a sort of feeling--I swear I had a sort of feeling! If I'd only been sure I'd have whistled.”