CHAPTER XIX

ibs.Shedon’tforgettoputsaltintheporridge.Sheneverslamsdoors,andwhenshehasnothingtosayshedon’ttalk.That’suncannyinawoman,youknow,Mister.I’msatisfied.Ifsheisn’t,she’sfreetogo.ButnowomancomeshereinJimStirling’spay.Ifanyonedoes”—Abel’svoicewasuncannilyblandandpolite—“I’llspattertheroadwithherbrains.TellhimthatwithA.Gay’scompliments.” “Dr.Stalling,anurseisnotwhatCissyneeds,”saidValancyearnestly.“Sheisn’tsoillasthat,yet.Whatshewantsiscompanionship—somebodysheknowsandlikesjusttolivewithher.Youcanunderstandthat,I’msure.” “Iunderstandthatyourmotiveisquite—ahem—commendable.”Dr.Stallingfeltthathewasverybroad-mindedindeed—especiallyasinhissecretsoulhedidnotbelieveValancy’smotivewascommendable.Hehadn’ttheleastideawhatshewasupto,buthewassurehermotivewasnotcommendable.Whenhecouldnotunderstandathinghestraightwaycondemnedit.Simplicityitself!“Butyourfirstdutyistoyourmother.Sheneedsyou.Sheimploresyoutocomehome—shewillforgiveeverythingifyouwillonlycomehome.” “That’saprettylittlethought,”remarkedAbelmeditatively,ashegroundsometobaccoupinhishand. Dr.Stallingignoredhim. “Sheentreats,butI,MissStirling,”—Dr.StallingrememberedthathewasanambassadorofJehovah—“Icommand.Asyourpastorandspiritualguide,Icommandyoutocomehomewithme—thisveryday.Getyourhatandcoatandcomenow.” Dr.StallingshookhisfingeratValancy.Beforethatpitilessfingershedroopedandwiltedvisibly. “She’sgivingin,”thoughtRoaringAbel.“She’llgowithhim.Beatsall,thepowerthesepreacherfellowshaveoverwomen.” ValancywasonthepointofobeyingDr.Stalling.Shemustgohomewithhim—andgiveup.ShewouldlapsebacktoDossStirlingagainandforherfewremainingdaysorweeksbethecowed,futilecreatureshehadalwaysbeen.Itwasherfate—typifiedbythatrelentless,upliftedforefinger.ShecouldnomoreescapefromitthanRoaringAbelfromhispredestination.Sheeyeditasthefascinatedbirdeyesthesnake.Anothermoment— “F