Page:Strange Interlude (1928).djvu/249

Rh

[Suddenly turning on him]

When are you going back to the West Indies, Ned?

[Determinedly]

Soon!

[Stops playing to listen—thinking]

Gosh, I’m glad! How soon, I wonder?

[With a trace of a sneer]

I don’t see how you can afford to leave your work for such long periods. Don’t you grow rusty?

[Looking at her meaningly]

My life work is to rust—nicely and unobtrusively!

[He smiles mockingly]

[Sadly—thinking]

To rot away in peace that’s all he wants now, too! and this is what love has done to us!

[Bitterly]

My work was finished twelve years ago. As I believe you know, I ended it with an experiment which resulted so successfully that any further meddling with human lives would have been superfluous!