Part 29 (2/2)
”Me! Oh, I'm as strong as a horse,” Peg said cheerfully. ”Nothing ever tires me!”
Forrester looked across at her and laughed, and Faith clenched her hands in her lap.
There seemed such a spirit of comrades.h.i.+p between these two, she wondered why she had never noticed it before.
When breakfast was over she followed her husband into the hall. As a rule, she avoided him, and he looked up in surprise as she stood beside him while he brushed his coat and hat.
”Have you got to go to the City to-day?” she asked at last with an effort.
He echoed her words blankly:
”Have I got to go? What do you mean?”
”Only that”--she hesitated nervously--”only--it's so fine, I thought perhaps you might stay at home.”
Forrester flushed a little, but he only said dryly, ”Oh, I see,” and got into his coat.
Faith watched him with timid eyes, that yet held a dawning resolution.
Yesterday he had gone motoring with them to please Peg, and because Peg had asked him. Would he stay at home this morning to please her, if she could find the courage to ask him?
”I've a great deal to see to to-day,” he went on lightly. ”There's been trouble down at Heeler's, you know.”
Faith knew, but it had not interested her. She never wished to think of Heeler's any more. It was like another part of her life--a part she only wanted to forget.
The Beggar Man had turned to the door.
”Well, good-bye,” he said constrainedly.
Another moment and he would be gone, she knew, and, in desperation, Faith took a quick step towards him....
”Nicholas ... will you ... I want you to stay at home.”
She was crimson, and she could not meet his eyes; but she knew his were upon her, and her heart seemed to stop beating while she waited for his answer.
It was a long time coming. Then the Beggar Man said, very gently:
”I am sorry. I am afraid it is quite impossible, Faith.”
She drew back at once.
”Oh ... very well!” she said blankly, and the next moment he had gone....
Faith stood for some seconds staring at the closed door. She felt as if someone had struck her across the face.
It was the first time she had ever definitely asked a favour of him, and he had refused!
<script>