Part 50 (1/2)

right to the end. We've changed one another, d.i.c.k. I you, you me--and life both of us! And so we can make terms with one another.”

”Terms of perfect peace,” he answered. He knew what was in her mind. ”I give you my honour--in my soul I'm at peace.”

”Then so be it, dear old d.i.c.k. For neither am I ashamed.” She turned round to face him, and, putting her hands on his shoulders, kissed his lips. ”Now let's go over to your house, and see that this eventuality really has been properly borne in view. Dear Stephen! He'll philosophize over us, d.i.c.k!”

That was, of course, only to be expected. Yet it did not happen when Stephen and his wife were told the great news after dinner. On the contrary, after brief but hearty congratulations, the host and hostess disappeared. Winnie thought that she had detected a glance pa.s.sing between them.

”They needn't be so very tactful!” she said laughing.

They were very tactful; for even to lovers the time they stayed away was undeniably long. There could be no illusion about the progress of the hands of the clock. Yet when Tora and Stephen came in and were accused of an excessive display of the useful social quality in question, Tora blushed, denied the charge rather angrily, and bade them all a brief good night. Stephen glared through his spectacles in mock fury.

”You two think yourselves everybody! As a matter of fact, for the last hour or so--how late is it? Eleven! Oh, I say! Yes, of course! Well, for the last two hours or so, Tora and I have forgotten your very existence; and, if I may use the candour of an old friend, it's rather a jar to find you here. You'd better escort your friend home, Mr. Dennehy.”

”Well, what have you been doing then?” laughed Winnie.

”It's one of Tora's theories that I should propose to her all over again about once a year--and somehow to-night seemed rather a suitable opportunity,” Stephen explained. ”She's at perfect liberty to refuse me, and, as a matter of fact, she's generally rather difficult about it.

That's why it's so late.” His eyes twinkled again. ”She imposes all sorts of conditions as to my future conduct. I argue a bit, or she wouldn't respect me. Then I give in--but, of course, I don't observe them all, or what fun would it be next year? She's accepted me this time, but she says it's the last time, unless I mend my ways considerably.”

A spark of d.i.c.k Dennehy's old scorn blazed out. ”So that's the way she gets round her precious theory, is it? And the woman a respectable wife and mother all the time!”

Winnie laid her hand on his arm. ”There is one thing that can get round everything, d.i.c.k.”

”A fact which, in all its bearings for good and evil, must be carefully brought out in the Synopsis,” said Stephen Aikenhead.

They left him twinkling luminously at them through clouds of tobacco smoke.