Page:Strange Interlude (1928).djvu/91

Rh

[Overcome, his eyes on his shuffling feet and twiddling cap]

Thanks—I—I really don’t know how to thank—

[Going to door—in his own voice now]

I’ve got to go home. My mother is waiting up for me. I’ll just carry Nina upstairs and put her on her bed and throw something over her.

Can’t I help you, Mr. Marsden?

[Dully]

No. I cannot help myself.

[As looks puzzled and startled he adds with an ironical, self-mocking geniality]

You’d better call me just Charlie after this.

[He smiles bitterly to himself as he goes out]

[Looks after him for a moment—then cannot restrain a joyful, coltish caper—gleefully]

Good egg! Good old Charlie!

[As if he had heard or guessed, bitter laugh comes back from the end of the hallway]