Page:Frank Owen - Woman Without Love (1949 reprint).djvu/109

 A single night can bring many changes and by morning Louella had other plans.

A half hour before dawn when Ivan knocked at her door, she murmured drowsily: "What's the matter?"

"Time to get up," he reminded her.

"What a weird idea."

"Don't you want to see the sunrise?"

"I'd rather something to settle my stomach. I've got gas."

"Come on. Don't keep me waiting. One would imagine you were a bride, so reluctant you are to leave your bed."

"Don't be vulgar," she said irritably.

"I'm a Vulgarian born," he said. "I'm only an American by adoption and because nobody opposed my application for citizenship."

"I intend to apply for an injunction," said she, "and have you put away. Then maybe I could get some sleep."

"If you are going to sleep," he said mournfully, "at least unlock your door and move over so I can snatch a few snores, also."

"Sooner than that," said she, "I'll get up."

"Shall I get a derrick?"

"No insults, but I wish you could get Terese."

"What for?"

"So she could fix my bath."

"I didn't know your bath was broken."

"It's worse than that. I can't even find the damn thing in this house."

Later as they trudged across the fields, she said: "Isn't it chilly?"

"Yes," he replied. "I wish I'd brought my coat along."

"I wish I'd brought my bed," said she.

They sat on a flat rock and waited impatiently as the sun rose into view.

"So that's a sunrise," she said at last between shivers.

"It's the nearest thing we have to one around the place," said he.

"Well," she sniffed, "I don't think it's so hot."

"It gets hotter around noon," he told her meekly.