do that,’ when you went out in the rain for some coal,” he said. “That looks a lot like your being able to manage servants!”
“Well, it was only the child’s niceness,” said Mrs. Morel.
“And you apologizing to her: ‘You can’t do two things at once, can you?’ ”
“She was busy washing up,” replied Mrs. Morel.
“And what did she say? ‘It could easy have waited a bit. Now look how your feet paddle!’ ”
“Yes—brazen young baggage!” said Mrs. Morel, smiling.
He looked at his mother, laughing. She was quite warm and rosy again with love of him. It seemed as if all the sunshine were on her for a moment. He continued his work gladly. She seemed so well when she was happy that he forgot her grey hair.
And that year she went with him to the Isle of Wight for a holiday. It was too exciting for them both, and too beautiful. Mrs. Morel was full of joy and wonder. But he would have her walk with him more than she was able. She had a bad fainting bout. So grey her face was, so blue her mouth! It was agony to him. He felt as if someone were pushing a knife in his chest. Then she was better again, and he forgot. But the anxiety remained inside him, like a wound that did not close.
After leaving Miriam he went almost straight to Clara. On the Monday following the day of the rupture he went down to the work-room. She looked up at him and smiled. They had grown very intimate unawares. She saw a new brightness about him.
“Well, Queen of Sheba!” he said, laughing.
“But why?” she asked.
“I think it suits you. You’ve got a new frock on.”
She flushed, asking:
“And what of it?”
“Suits you—awfully! I could design you a dress.”
“How would it be?”
He stood in front of her, his eyes glittering as he expounded. He kept her eyes fixed with his. Then suddenly he took hold of her. She half started back. He drew the stuff of her blouse tighter, smoothed it over her breast.
“More so!” he explained.
But they were both of them flaming with blushes, and immediately he ran away. He had touched her. His whole body was quivering with the sensation.
There was already a sort of secret understanding between
