Page:The Trespasser, Lawrence, 1912.djvu/221

Rh daughter to go out of the room, so that he could let go. Vera went out of the drawing-room humming to herself. Apparently she had not even glanced at her father. In reality, she had observed him closely.

“He is sitting with his head in his hands,” she said to her mother.

Beatrice replied: “I’m glad he’s nothing else to do.”

“I should think he’s pitying himself,” said Vera.

“He’s a good one at it,” answered Beatrice.

Gwen came forward and took hold of her mother’s skirt, looking up anxiously.

“What is he doing, mam?” she asked.

“Nothing,” replied her mother—“nothing; only sitting in the drawing-room.”

“But what has he been doing?” persisted the anxious child.

“Nothing—nothing that I can tell you. He’s only spoilt all our lives.”

The little girl stood regarding her mother in the greatest distress and perplexity.

“But what will he do, mam?” she asked.

“Nothing. Don’t bother. Run and play with Marjory now. Do you want a nice plum?”

She took a yellow plum from the table. Gwen accepted it without a word. She was too much perplexed.

“What do you say?” asked her mother.

“Thank you,” replied the child, turning away.

Siegmund sighed with relief when he was again left alone. He twisted in his chair, and sighed again, trying to drive out the intolerable clawing irritability from his belly.

“Ah, this is horrible!” he said.