Will ... you come up presently ... Laurie?"
Every word was an effort, as she looked steadily into the eyes that
looked so steadily into hers.
It was Laurie--yes--but, good God...!
"You must just kiss her and come away," she said, driving out the
words with effort after effort. "She has a bad headache this
evening.... Laurie--a bad headache."
With a sudden twitch she turned away from those eyes.
"Come, Laurie," she said. And she heard his steps following her.
They passed so through the inner hall and upstairs: and, without
turning again, holding herself steady only by the consciousness that
some appalling catastrophe was imminent if she did not, she opened the
door of the old lady's room.
"Here he is," she said. "Now, Laurie, just kiss her and come away."
"My dearest," came the old voice from the gloom, and two hands were
lifted.
Maggie watched, as the tall figure came obediently forward, in an
indescribable terror. It was as when one watches a man in a tiger's
den.... But the figure bent obediently, and kissed.
Maggie instantly stepped forward.
"Not a word," she said. "Auntie's got a headache. Yes, Auntie, he's
very well; you'll see him in the morning.
Pages:
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315