Page:The strange experiences of Tina Malone.djvu/37

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It was the last Saturday that I was to spend in my flat. The White Priestess had run away from the deed, afraid to face me when the time should come for me to hand her the keys. My Anglican Materialist friend who lived next door had gone away for a change to the country. I had found a new flat so the worst part of the move was over—the worried uncertainty of a suitable home.

I had rushed with my troubles to the bookshop where Tony was employed and found strength in the clasp of his two hands on mine.

He did not say much, it was not his way. He let me talk but I felt the sympathy and strength there as he held my hand in his.

And so in the loneliness and the silence I took down my pictures, packed my books and tore up my floor-covering.

With a fierce pleasure I stamped up and down the uncovered floors hoping that every footfall would plant itself on Naomi's conscience as she rested down below.

On Saturday afternoon just as I was watching the evening haze come over the harbour and the lights begin to twinkle one by one, there came a knock at the door and Alice Griffiths was there.

"Oh! I am glad to see you," I said, and drew her in—"I'm going! And you'll never guess who is the cause."

She looked perplexed.

"Naomi," I said in answer.

Without knowing why I did it except that she was someone to confide in, I told her the whole trouble.

"What it is, you know, you were too fond of her. You know she was just the same with me some time ago. You're too romantic. I wish you belonged to our church. You would find such comfort in my religion."

"Yes, I've always thought it must be beautiful to have a Father Confessor," I said lightly, but sighing, "but I'm a Protestant," I said with as much emphasis as the word itself called forth. "I wouldn't change my religion for anything in the world. It would be like turning my back on my own family. Why did she quarrel with me?"

I could not keep my mind from the question.

Alice told me that she had came over that day to bring me some printed matter about a club that was being formed and thought she would end the day with Naomi.

"She may be in," I said, "go down and see and come back and have some tea with me."

But though she went down once or twice Naomi was not in. She waited with me till the evening was half gone and