Page:Strange Interlude (1928).djvu/137

Rh [Annoyed at himself]

Why did I lie to him about her age? I must be on edge Mother is rather difficult to live with these days, getting me worried to death, when it’s probably nothing

[Annoyed in his turn—thinking]

Why all the fuss? as if I gave a damn if the old girl was a million!

[Indicating the papers]

I’ll give these to Nina first thing in the morning.

[Mechanically]

Righto. Thank you.

[He starts to go toward door—then turns—fussily]

But you’d better take a look while I’m here and see if it’s clear. I’ve written on the margins. See if there’s anything you can’t make out.

[ nods helplessly and begins reading the sheets, going back beneath the lamp]

[Looking around him with squeamish disapproval]

What a mess they’ve made of this study poor Professor! dead and forgotten and his tomb desecrated  does Sam write his ads here of a week-end now? the last touch! and Nina labors with love at Gordon’s biography whom the Professor hated! “life is so full of a number of things!” why does everyone in the world think they can write?