Page:Strange Interlude (1928).djvu/135

Rh stairs and bring them in here and cover up my absence. Thank heavens, Charlie won’t stay long if Ned is here.

[The doorbell rings—excitedly]

There’s one of them now. I’ll run upstairs. Come up and tell me if it’s Ned—and get rid of Charlie.

[She kisses him playfully and hurries out]

[Looking after her—thinks]

She seems better tonight happier  she seems to love me  if she’ll only get all well again, then everything will

[The bell rings again]

I must give Ned a good chance to talk to her

[He goes out to the outer door—returns a moment later with. ''The latter’s manner is preoccupied and nervous. His face has an expression of anxiety which he tries to conceal. He seems a prey to some inner fear he is trying to hide even from himself and is resolutely warding off from his consciousness. His tall, thin body stoops as if a part of its sustaining will had been removed'']

[With a rather forced welcoming note]

Come on in, Charlie. Nina’s upstairs lying down.

[With marked relief]

Then by all means don’t disturb her. I just dropped in to bring back her outline with the suggestions I’ve made.

[He has taken some papers out of his pocket and hands them to ]

I couldn’t have stayed but a minute in any event. Mother is a bit under the weather these days.