Page:Strange Interlude (1928).djvu/301

Rh [In confusion—thinking bitterly]

In Gordon’s shoes! I always was in Gordon Shaw’s shoes! and why am I taking this young Gordon’s part? what is he to me, for God’s sake?

[Unheedingly]

If he marries her, it means he’ll forget me! He’ll forget me as completely as Sam forgot his mother! She’ll keep him away from me! Oh, I know what wives can do! She’ll use her body until she persuades him to forget me! My son, Ned! And your son, too!

[She suddenly gets up and goes to him and takes one of his hands in both of hers]

The son of our old love, Ned!

[Thinking with a strange shudder of mingled attraction and fear as she touches him]

Our love old love  old touch of her flesh  we’re old  it’s silly and indecent  does she think she still can own me?

[In the tone a mother takes in speaking to her husband about their boy]

You’ll have to give Gordon a good talking to, Ned.

[Still more disturbed—thinking]

Old but she’s kept her wonderful body  how many years since? she has the same strange influence over me touch of her flesh  it’s danger-