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Updated: April 30, 2025
When she spoke her voice was low, but the ring of decision in it was not to be mistaken. "I'm afraid I couldn't accept the position, Mr. Pruyn." Derek's start of astonishment was that of a man who sees intentions he meant to be benevolent thrown back in his face. "You couldn't ? But surely ?" "I mean, I couldn't do that kind of work."
The stir, the buzz of conversation, the warmth and life of it, all touched a chord in her which made depression impossible. The lights shot up beyond the curtain. The house-lights dimmed. Conversation ceased. The curtain rose. Jill wriggled herself comfortably into her seat, and slipped her hand into Derek's. She felt a glow of happiness as it closed over hers.
But when it came to long and consecutive effort, the continual petty worry of actual penury sapped my mind so that I lacked the power of application.... With Derek's remittances this obstacle was removed.... I had soon completed the first act of my apostolic play....
And, trembling with nervousness, Nedda took her plunge, pouring out the whole story of Derek's letter; their journey down; her father's talk with him; the visit to Tryst's body; their walk by the river; and of how haunted and miserable he was. Showing the little note he had left that morning, she clasped her hands and said: "Oh, Aunt Kirsteen, make him happy again!
It was partitioned into two by a screen; in one portion was a rough camp bedstead, and in the other two dear little child's beds, that must once have been Derek's and Sheila's, and one still smaller, made out of a large packing-case. The eldest of the little children said: "That's where Billy sleeps, Susie sleeps here, and I sleeps there; and our father sleeped in here before he went to prison."
There was a park on the outskirts of town where I loved to loaf, when the weather was sunny, a place where the blue jays fought with the squirrels and the leaves flickered in the sun ... sometimes I lay on the grass, reading ... sometimes I lounged on a bench ... I read my Greek and Latin poets there ... and my English and German poets ... and, when hungry, I sauntered home to my bread and cheese, or, now that I was in receipt of Derek's weekly stipend, to a frugal meal at some lunch counter.
It was disloyal to Derek and to her purpose, which was to bring comfort to poor Tryst. Then the door was pushed open, and the warder said: "A quarter of an hour, miss. I'll be just outside." She saw a big man with unshaven cheeks come in, and stretched out her hand. "I am Mr. Derek's cousin, going to be married to him. He's been ill, but he's getting well again now. We knew you'd like to hear."
She entered with the subdued manner of one who has been sent for peremptorily, but who acknowledges the right of summons. The perception of this called an impulse to apologize to Derek's lips; but on reflection he repressed it. It was best to assume that she would do his bidding from the first. Standing by the fireplace, with his arm on the mantelpiece, he bowed stiffly, without offering his hand.
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