Page:Love and Mr. Lewisham – Wells (1899).djvu/273

Rh "Yes—friend!"

"Why!—you hide her letters!"

"Because I tell you you wouldn't understand what they are about. But, pah! I won't argue. I won't! You're jealous and there's the end of the matter!"

"Well, who wouldn't be jealous?"

He stared at her as if he found the question hard to see. The theme was difficult—invincibly difficult. He surveyed the room for a diversion. The note-book he had disinterred from her novelettes lay upon the table and reminded him of his grievance of ruined hours. His rage exploded. He struck out abruptly towards fundamental things. He gesticulated forcibly. "This can't go on!" he cried, "this can't go on! How can I work? How can I do anything?"

He made three steps and stood in a clear space.

"I won't stand it—I won't go on at this! Quarrels—bickerings—discomfort. Look there! I meant to work this morning. I meant to look up notes! Instead of which you start a quarrel—"

The gross injustice raised Ethel's voice to an outcry. "I didn't start the quarrel—"

The only response to this was to shout, and Lewisham shouted. "You start a quarrel!" he repeated. "You make a shindy! You spring a dispute—jealousy!—on me! How can I do anything? How