Part 34 (1/2)

”It's only in novels that people are knocked down successfully and artistically,” admitted the other. ”In everyday life they resent it.

Yes--if you do anything hysterical there will be some sort of a disgraceful noise, I suppose. It's shoot or suit in these unromantic days, Dysart, otherwise the newspapers laugh at you.”

Dysart's well-shaped fists relaxed, the chair dropped, but even when he let it go murder danced in his eyes.

”Yes,” he said, ”it's shoot or a suit in these days; you're perfectly right, Mallett. And we'll let it go at that for the present.”

He stood a moment, straight, handsome, his clearly stencilled eyebrows knitted, watching Duane. Whatever in the man's face and figure was usually colourless, unaccented, irresolute, disappeared as he glared rigidly at the other.

For there is no resentment like the resentment of the neglectful, no jealousy like the jealousy of the faithless.

”To resume, in plain English,” he said, ”keep away from my wife, Mallett. You comprehend that, don't you?”

”Perfectly. Now get out!”

Dysart hesitated for the fraction of a second longer, as though perhaps expecting further reply, then turned on his heel and walked out.

Later, while Duane was examining his own costume preparatory to trying it on, Scott Seagrave's spectacled and freckled visage protruded into the room. He knocked as an after-thought.

”Rosalie sent me. She's dressed in all her gimcracks and wants your expert opinion. I've got to go----”

”Where is she?”

”In her room. I'm going out to the hatchery with Kathleen----”

”Come and see Rosalie with me, first,” said Duane, pa.s.sing his arm through Scott's and steering him down the sunny corridor.

When they knocked, Mrs. Dysart admitted them, revealing herself in full costume, painted and powdered, the blinds pulled down, and the electric lights burning behind their rosy shades.

”It's my final dress rehearsal,” she explained. ”Mr. Mallett, _is_ my hair sufficiently a la Lamballe to suit you?”

”Yes, it is. You're a perfect little porcelain figurette! There's not an anachronism in you or your make-up. How did you do it?”

”I merely stuck like grim death to your sketches,” she said demurely.

Scott eyed her without particular interest. ”Very corking,” he said vaguely, ”but I've got to go down to the hatchery with Kathleen, so you won't mind if I leave----”

He closed the door behind him before anybody could speak. Duane moved toward the door.

”It's a charming costume,” he said, ”and most charmingly worn; your hair is exactly right--not too much powder, you know----”

”Where shall I put my patch? Here?”

”Higher.”

”Here?”

He came back to the centre of the room where she stood.

”Here,” he said, indenting the firm, cool ivory skin with one finger, ”and here. Wear two.”