Page:Arthur Machen - The Hill of Dreams.djvu/128

THE HILL OF DREAMS after dinner. And so strange things sometimes happened in the nursery, and now and then the children looked queerly at one another after a red-faced woman had gone out, panting.

Lucian knew nothing of his accuser's trials, but he was not long in hearing of his own intoxication. The next time he went down to Caermaen he was hailed by the doctor.

'Been drinking again to-day?'

'No,' said Lucian in a puzzled voice. 'What do you mean?'

'Oh, well, if you haven't, that's all right, as you'll be able to take a drop with me. Come along in?'

Over the whisky and pipes Lucian heard of the evil rumours affecting his character.

'Mrs. Dixon assured me you were staggering from one side of the street to the other. You quite frightened her, she said. Then she asked me if I recommended her to take one or two ounces of spirit at bedtime for the palpitation; and of course I told her two would be better. I have my living to make here, you know. And upon my word, I think she wants it; she's always gurgling inside like a waterworks. I wonder how old Dixon can stand it.' 118