Next minute she was
sobbing uncontrollably, leaning against his arm.
"Oh, why didn't I go in the water? I can't bear it--I can't! I'll never
be able to go through with it! I'm making him no better--and no one can
keep on being disappointed and disappointed and still keeping their
faith. Even to-day, when I ought to have been so happy."
She sat up suddenly, and turned away from Louis, holding out longing
arms for the softness of her mother, the autocratic strength of her
father. But she had to dry her eyes quickly because the cabman had
stopped and was speaking through the window.
"Here we are, ma," he said.
She wrestled with her voice.
"Do you mind--will you ask her, please? I've been crying, and I look
such an idiot."
"Right-o, ma. But don't bother about that. Mrs. King has had her share
o' crying in her time. She won't think nothing of that."
She realized that it was necessary to waken Louis as she heard the door
open and a conversation between two people. A little figure of a woman
came out to the cab and spoke to her.
"It's all right, my dear," she said quietly. "I've got a top room. I'll
be glad to let you have it."
"It's very kind of you," said Marcella. "My husband is--rather--asleep.
How on earth am I going to get him upstairs?"
"I'll get some of my young fellows to carry him up for you," said Mrs.
Pages:
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303