Page:Herbert Jenkins - The Rain Girl.djvu/78



S he stood hesitating at the entrance to the dining-room of the Ritz-Carlton, there flashed across Beresford's mind the memory of the rain-soddened assembly-trench packed with men in whose hearts there was a great curiosity, and in whose eyes there was something of fear. All were striving to disguise from each other their real feelings, and were determined to go over the top as if accustomed to it from childhood.

Beresford recalled his own sensations, the feeling of emptiness at the pit of his stomach, the rather unreasonable behaviour of his knees, and an almost childish desire to strike matches in order to light a cigarette that was already burning cheerfully. Eliminating the cigarette episode, he experienced all the other sensations during the momentary pause on the threshold of the dining-room of the Ritz-Carlton. Then he took the plunge and entered. The maître d'hôtel conducted him to his table and, with a feeling of genuine relief and thankfulness, Beresford sank into the chair held back for him, and proceeded to study the menu as if his life depended upon it. 74