Page:The Painted Veil - Maugham - 1925.djvu/132

 wonder how you behave when you’re alone. When I’m there you’re acting, both of you, and acting damned badly, by George. You’d neither of you get thirty bob a week in a touring company if that’s the best you can do.”

“I don’t know what you mean,” smiled Kitty, keeping up a pretence of frivolity which she knew did not deceive.

“You’re a very pretty woman. It’s funny that your husband should never look at you. When he speaks to you it sounds as though it were not his voice but somebody else’s.”

“Do you think he doesn’t love me?” asked Kitty in a low voice, hoarsely, putting aside suddenly her lightness.

“I don’t know. I don’t know if you fill him with such a repulsion that it gives him goose-flesh to be near you or if he’s burning with a love that for some reason he will not allow himself to show. I’ve asked myself if you’re both here to commit suicide.”

Kitty had seen the startled glance and then the scrutinising look Waddington gave them when the incident of the salad took place.

“I think you’re attaching too much importance to a few lettuce leaves,” she said flippantly. She rose. “Shall we go home? I’m sure you want a whisky and soda.”

“You’re not a heroine at all events. You’re frightened to death. Are you sure you don’t want to go away?”

“What has it got to do with you?”