Page:Neith Boyce--The bond.djvu/402

400 roads. It was dark when she reached the house, and Basil came out to meet her.

"An accident?" he said irritably. "I thought there would be one—it's lucky your neck isn't broken. I wish you wouldn't go out on that sort of a tear again."

"Oh, it's amusing," said Teresa coldly.

"Amusing! You find those people amusing! Or was it the chance of breaking your neck that amused you?"

"Both, I think. I like the sensation of something happening, even if it's only rushing along in a motor."

"Or swilling cocktails at lunch and flirting, I suppose?"

"I didn't swill any cocktails. Really, Basil, you're turning over a new leaf."

"I'm not the only one. I don't care much for this last leaf that you've turned over. Alice is getting too vulgar"

"Anything is better than living in an ice-box, as I've been doing lately."

"Is it? All right, but if you want to bring that sort out here, I shall have to work in town."

He went into the studio, and Teresa looked after him despairingly. After a few moments she followed him. The room was dark, except for the firelight. He had thrown himself into a big chair before the fire, and was staring into it,