Page:The Fruit of the Tree (Wharton 1907).djvu/490

Rh was beginning to feel a vague well-being of the eye wherever her touch had passed.

“Well, we must do it,” he said simply.

“Oh, must we?” she murmured, holding out his cup.

He smiled at her note of dejection. “Unnatural woman! New York versus Hanaford—do you really dislike it so much?”

She tried to bring a tone of consent into her voice. “I shall be very glad to be with Cicely again—and that, of course,” she reﬂected, “is the reason why Mr. Langhope wants us.”

“Well—if it is, it’s a good reason.”

“Yes. But how much shall you be with us?”

“If you say so, I’ll arrange to get away for a month or two.” ‘

“Oh, no: I don’t want that!” she said, with a smile that triumphed a little. “But why should not Cicely come here?”

“If Mr. Langhope is cut off from his usual amusements, I’m afraid that would only make him more lonely.”

“Yes, I suppose so.” She put aside her untasted cup, resting her elbows on her knees, and her chin on her clasped hands, in the attitude habitual to her in moments of inward debate.

Amherst rose and seated himself on the sofa beside [ 474 ]