Mrs. Viveash did not venture another laugh; she contented herself with smiling agonizingly.
“That would have been a just retribution,” Gumbril went on, “after what you’ve done to me.”
“What have I done to you?” Mrs. Viveash asked, opening wide her pale-blue eyes.
“Merely wrecked my existence.”
“But you’re being childish, Theodore. Say what you mean without these grand, silly phrases.” The dying voice spoke with impatience.
“Well, what I mean,” said Gumbril, “is merely this. You prevented me from going to see the only person I ever really wanted to see in my life. And yesterday, when I tried to see her, she was gone. Vanished. And here am I left in the vacuum.”
Mrs. Viveash shut her eyes. “We’re all in the vacuum,” she said. “You’ll still have plenty of company, you know.” She was silent for a moment. “Still, I’m sorry,” she added. “Why didn’t you tell me? And why didn’t you just pay no attention to me and go all the same?”
“I didn’t tell you,” Gumbril answered, “because, then, I didn’t know. And I didn’t go because I didn’t want to quarrel with you.”
“Thank you,” said Mrs. Viveash, and patted his hand, “But what are you going to do about it now? Not quarrelling with me is only a rather negative satisfaction, I’m afraid.”
“I propose to leave the country to-morrow morning,” said Gumbril.