Part 37 (2/2)
”Walters wouldn't hesitate about a risk It ht have looked like an accident if you hadn't heard Foster's story”
Lawrence knitted his brows, rather impatiently ”After all, Jake's a romantic fellow, and his explanation's theatrical”
”You don't like theatrical things,” Mrs Stephen interposed ”You must admit that they happen, but you feel it's ridiculous that they should happen to you”
”I ireed with a smile ”When they happen to somebody else they're not so unnatural”
Lucy tried to preserve her self-control, but her tone was sharp as she said, ”Then you feel inclined to forgive Walters the pain and illness he caused you”
”It would be harder to forgive him your anxiety,” Lawrence rejoined, and his face set hard ”In fact, if I knew he really had plotted the thing------” He paused and resu a brute who could do what you i a cri the uilt In theto keep an open mind”
”But you will be careful and not trust hiround for being cautious”
Lucy said no ot obstinate if one argued with hi to reraphed for his coe was then in the page's pocket He had waited soraone In consequence, fearing a repri and say nothing about the ht sunshi+ne on the snow, and Mrs Stephen agreed when Lawrence insisted on going for a short ith her and soh Lucy tried to leave hi the pines The snoas thin and crisp beneath the trees, the air exhilarating, and through openings they caught glilistened in the steely light, and ht and tall, and the great soft-colored trunks rose in long cliainst the blue shadow on the snow
They stopped for a few , and then Lawrence, who had been sitting rather slackly on a log, got up with a shi+ver
”The air's keen,” he said ”Can't we go back another here we'll get the sun?”
One of the party said there was a lower and more open trail, and they went down until they reached a narrow track that followed the edge of a steep fall to the river The hillside above le with the pines that cut, in scattered cones of soround dropped nearly sheer to the green flood that roared ah, Lucy kept close to Lawrence and was glad to see Walters talking to one of the others some distance behind She felt jaded, for she had not relaxed her watchfulness since the rateful s of a responsibility If you like, I'll oes”
”No,” she said with an effort, ”that would be cowardly and not good for you After all, I ination rein; but I wish he hadn't co Anyhoe'll keep out of his way as much as we can for the rest of the time”
”That's a relief Still, I expect you really think you are indulging me”
”I don't knohat to think,” Lawrence replied ”You're clever, and Jake, who takes your view, is not a fool But it doesn't look as if Waltersas you don't give him an opportunity”
Lawrence's eyes twinkled ”And you'll take care that I don't? Well, it's rather nice to be protected”
Lucy blushed ”If you would take things seriously sometimes----”
”If I did, you'd find me dull Now I like you exactly as you are, except that, in one way, I'd sooner you were not so anxious about me
That's partly why I'et worse if I played up to you”
”Never mind me,” said Lucy ”Only take care!”