Part 38 (2/2)
”Ah!”
”Wait in the porch till she comes in again.”
John's impetuous will was carrying everything before it, and the helpless creature began to overwhelm him with grateful blessings.
”Pooh! We'll not talk of that.... Have you any money?”
”No.”
”Neither have I. I brought nothing here except the little in my purse, and I gave that up on entering.”
”I don't want any--I can walk.”
”It will take you an hour then.”
A clock was striking somewhere. ”Hus.h.!.+ One, two, three ... eleven o'clock. It will be midnight when you get there. Now go!”
The key was grating in the lock of the gate. ”Remember Lauds at six in the morning.”
”I'll be back at five.”
”And I'll open the gate at 5.30. Only six hours to do everything.”
”Good-night, then.”
”Wait!”
”What is it?”
Paul was in the street, but John was in the darkness of the pa.s.sage.
”Very likely you'll cross London in a cab with her.”
”My sister?”
”Your sister went to live somewhere in St. John's Wood, I remember.”
”St. John's Wood?”
”Tell her”--John was striving to keep his voice firm--”tell her I am happy--and cheerful--and looking strong and well, you know.”
”But you're not. You're too good, and you're wearing away in my----”
”Tell her I am often thinking of her, and if she has anything to say--anything to send--any word--any message ... it can't be displeasing to the Almighty.... But no matter! Go, go!”
The key had grated in the lock again, the lay brother was gone, and John was left alone.
<script>