Chapter XXI

s. “Sleptwell?”heasked. “Ihaven’tsleptawink.” “Oh,whatacrammer.I’vebeenlookingatyouforthelasthour!” “I’vehadmyeyesclosedforabouttenminutes,ifthat’swhatyoumean.” Berthawasquitejustlyannoyedthatherhusbandshouldhavecaughthernappingsoundly—itrobbedherproceedingofhalfitseffect.Moreover,Edwardwasasfreshasabird,whileshefeltoldandhaggard,andhardlydaredlookatherselfintheglass. InthemiddleofthemorningcameatelegramfromMissLey,tellingBerthatocomewheneversheliked—hopingEdwardwouldcometoo!Berthaleftitinaconspicuousplacesothathecouldnotfailtoseeit. “Soyou’rereallygoing?”hesaid. “ItoldyouIwasasabletokeepmywordasyou.” “Well,Ithinkit’lldoyounoendofgood.Howlongwillyoustay?” “HowdoIknow!Perhapsforever.” “That’sabigword—thoughithasonlytwosyllables.” ItcutBerthatotheheartthatEdwardshouldbesoindifferent—hecouldnotcareforheratall.Heseemedtothinkitnaturalthatsheshouldleavehim,pretendingitwasgoodforherhealth.Oh,whatdidshecareaboutherhealth!Asshemadetheneedfulpreparationshercouragefailedher,andshefeltitimpossibletogo.Tearscameasshethoughtofthedifferencebetweentheirpresentstateandtheardentloveofayearbefore.Shewouldhavewelcomedthepoorestexcusethatforcedhertostay,andyetsavedherself-respect.IfEdwardwouldonlyexpressgriefattheparting,itmightnotbetoolate.ButherboxeswerepackedandhertrainfixedhetoldMissGloverthathiswifewasgoingawayforachangeofair,andregrettedthathisfarmpreventedhimfromaccompanyingher.Thetrapwasbroughttothedoor,andEdwardjumpedup,takinghisseat.Nowtherewasnohope,andgoshemust.ShewishedforcouragetotellEdwardthatshecouldnotleavehim,butwasafraid.TheydrovealonginsilenceBerthawaitedforherhusbandtospeak,daringtosaynothingherself,lestheshouldhearthetearsinhervoice.Atlastshemadeaneffort. “AreyousorryI’mgoing?” “Ithinkit’sforyourgood—andIdon’twanttostandinthewayofthat.” Berthaaskedherselfwhatloveamanhadforhiswife,whocouldbearheroutofhissight,nomatterwhatthenecessity.Shestifledasigh. Theyreachedthestationandhetookherticket.Theywaitedinsilenceforthetrain,andEdwardboughtPunchandTheSketchfromanewspaperboy.ThehorribletrainsteamedupEdwardhelpedherintoacarriage,andthetearsinhereyesnowcouldnotbeconcealed.Sheputoutherlips. “Perhapsforthelasttime,”shewhispered.