Page:The Painted Veil - Maugham - 1925.djvu/220

 “I think you ought to come as quickly as you can.”

He gave her his hand to help her into the boat. The passage was short and the river almost stagnant; they stood in a bunch at the bow, while a woman with a child tied on her hip impelled the sampan across with one oar.

“He was taken ill this afternoon, the afternoon of yesterday that is,” said Waddington.

“Why wasn’t I sent for at once?”

Although there was no reason for it they spoke in whispers. In the darkness Kitty could only feel how intense was her companion’s anxiety.

“Colonel Yü wanted to, but he wouldn’t let him. Colonel Yü has been with him all the time.”

“He ought to have sent for me all the same. It’s heartless.”

“Your husband knew that you had never seen any one with cholera. It’s a terrible and revolting sight. He didn’t want you to see it.”

“After all he is my husband,” she said in a choking voice.

Waddington made no reply.

“Why am I allowed to come now?”

Waddington put his hand on her arm.

“My dear, you must be very brave. You must be prepared for the worst.”

She gave a wail of anguish and turned away a little, for she saw that the three Chinese soldiers were looking at her. She had a sudden strange glimpse of the whites of their eyes.

“Is he dying?”

“I only know the message Colonel Yü gave to