Part 80 (2/2)
The moor was one sheet of purple at this season, and it had a look of fulfilment and of peace. It had brought forth life and had yet to see it die, and it seemed to lie with its hands folded on its broad breast and to wait tranquilly for what might come.
Zebedee tried to imitate that tranquillity as the old horse jogged up the road, but he had not yet arrived at such perfection of control that his heart did not beat faster as he knocked at Helen's door.
Tonight there was no answer, and having knocked three times he went into the hall, looked into each room and found all empty. He called her name and had silence for response. He went through the kitchen to seek her in the garden, and there, under the poplars, he saw her sitting and looking at the tree-tops, while George smoked beside her and Jim lay at her feet.
It was a scene to stamp itself on the mind of a discarded lover, and while he took the impress he stood stonily in the doorway. He saw Halkett say a word to Helen, and she sprang up and ran across the lawn.
”I never thought you'd come,” she said, breathing quickly.
He moved aside so that her body should not hide him from Halkett's careful eyes.
”Has something happened?” she asked. ”You look so white.”
”The day has been very hot.”
”Yes; up here, even, and in that dreadful little town--Are you working hard?”
”I think so.”
”And getting rich?”
”Not a bit.”
”I don't suppose you charge them half enough,” she said, and made him laugh. ”Come and see Notya before she goes to sleep.”
”Mayn't I speak to Mr. Halkett?” he asked.
She did not look at the two men as they stood together. Again she watched the twinkling poplar leaves and listened to their voices rustling between the human ones, and when she seemed to have been listening for hours, she said, ”Zebedee, you ought to come. It's time Notya went to sleep.”
She led him through the house, and neither spoke as they went upstairs and down again, but at the door, she said, ”I'll see you drive away,”
and followed him to the gate.
She stood there until he was out of sight, and then she went slowly to the kitchen where George was waiting for her.
”You've been a long time.”
”Have I? I mean, yes, I have.”
”What have you been doing?”
”Standing at the gate.”
”Talking?”
”Thinking.”
<script>