Page:The Fruit of the Tree (Wharton 1907).djvu/221

Rh “The doctor thinks I need it,” she faltered.

“In that case, of course—” He stood up, not abruptly, or with any show of irritation, but as if accepting this as her ﬁnal answer. “What you need most, in the meantime, is a little sleep,” he said. “I will tell your maid not to disturb you in the morning.” He had returned to his soothing way of speech, as though deﬁnitely resigned to the inutility of farther argument. “And I will say goodbye now,” he continued, “because I shall probably take an early train, before you wake”

She sat up with a start. “An early train? Why, where are you going?”

“I must go to Chicago some time this month, and as I shall not be wanted here tomorrow I might as well run out there at once, and join you next week at Lynbrook.”

Bessy had grown pale. “But I don’t understand”

Their eyes met. “Can’t you understand that I am human enough to prefer, under the circumstances, not being present at tomorrow’s meeting?” he said with a dry laugh.

She sank back with a moan of discouragement, turning her face away as he began to move toward his room.

“Shall I put the light out?” he asked, pausing with his hand on the electric button. [ 205 ]