He went upstairs and shut himself into his room.
She also felt unaccountably uncomfortable and anxious, as if something had happened, or was going to happen. Why was Percy so long?
When he came down at last she gave him his tea and a cigarette and noticed, or perhaps imagined, that he looked different from usual. He was pale. Yes, he was distinctly a little pale. Poor Percy!
Instead of telling him he was not looking very well, and asking him what was the matter, complaining that he had not taken any notice of her, or behaving otherwise idiotically, after the usual fashion of affectionate wives, she remained silent, and waited till he seemed more as usual.
Then he said: “Has anyone been here to-day?”
“No one but Madeline. She’s only just gone.”
“Oh yes—been out at all?”
“I went out this morning for a little while.”
He seemed absent.