Page:The Redemption of Anthony (1911).djvu/127

 saw his wife. "Dearest, it's finished, it's finished!" he said boyishly, coming to her. He took her in his arms, and she almost sobbed.

"Oh, Tony, I'm so glad! I'm so glad!"

He put her aside and began to pace up and down, in his excitement. "It's a big book, Priscilla; it's a great book!"

"Tony, I hate it!" she cried, and all the concentrated loneliness and jealousy of the last ten months came out in the outburst.

He turned suddenly and looked at her in astonishment—at her flushed face and tense body. He went to her quickly. "What is it, Priscilla? What is it you hate?"

"The book. It takes all your thoughts and time and hopes; there is no room for me."

"Priscilla!" he said, and drew her into his arms again. "Tell me what you mean."

"All day long I have to wait for you to be through with it. I sit and sit, and try to be patient, but I want you so, and I want to talk to you, and I'm so lonesome."