Chapter X

atshemightreproachhimforhissinsbuthenoticednothing. “Notmuch,”hecried.“Iwouldn’thavegivenafiverforthelot.” “Youmightaswellhavestayedwithme,asIaskedyou.” “Asfarasbusinessgoes,Ireallymight.ButIdaresaythedriveacrosscountrydidmegood.”Hewasamanwhoalwaysmadethebestofthings. Berthatookupabookandbeganreading. “Where’sthepaper?”askedEdward.“Ihaven’treadtheleadingarticlesyet.” “I’msureIdon’tknow.” Theysattilldinner,EdwardmethodicallygoingthroughtheStandard,columnaftercolumnBerthaturningoverthepagesofherbook,tryingtounderstand,butoccupiedthewholetimeonlywithherinjuries.Theyatethemealalmostinsilence,forEdwardwasnottalkative.HemerelyremarkedthatsoontheywouldbehavingnewpotatoesandthathehadmetDr.Ramsay.Berthaansweredinmono-syllables. “You’reveryquiet,Bertha,”heremarked,laterintheevening.“What’sthematter?” “Nothing!” “Gotaheadache?” “No!” Hemadenomoreinquiries,satisfiedthathersilencewasduetonaturalcauses.Hedidnotseemtonoticethatshewasinanywaydifferentfromusual.Sheheldherselfinaslongasshecould,butfinallyburstout,referringtohisremarkofanhourbefore. “DoyoucareifIhaveaheadacheornot?”Itwashardlyaquestionsomuchasataunt. Helookedupwithsurprise.“What’sthematter?” Shelookedathimandthen,withagestureofimpatience,turnedaway.Butcomingtoher,heputhisarmroundherwaist. “Aren’tyouwell,dear?”heasked,withconcern. Shelookedathimagain,butnowhereyeswerefulloftearsandshecouldnotrepressasob. “Oh,Eddie,benicetome,”shesaid,suddenlyweakening. “Dotellmewhat’swrong.” Heputhisarmsroundherandkissedherlips.Thecontactrevivedthepassionwhichforanhourhadlaina-dying,andsheburstintotears. “Don’tbeangrywithme,Eddie,”shesobbeditwasshewhoapologisedandmadeexcuses.“I’vebeenhorridtoyouIcouldn’thelpit.You’renotangry,areyou?” “Whatonearthfor?”heasked,completelymystified. “Iwassohurtthisafternoonbecauseyoudidn’tseemtocareaboutmetwostraws.Youmustloveme,EddieIcan’tlivewithoutit.” “Youaresilly,”hesaid,laughing. Shedriedhertears,smiling.Hisforgivenesscomfortedherandshefeltnowtreblyhappy.