He looked at my agitated face, and then at the two persons I was interested in; but he did not answer me.
'Why don't you speak, Mac? Why don't you answer me?'
'Because I don't quite understand you, my son.'
'When a person in Mr. Glover's position,' I said, 'pays attention to an actress commencing the world as Jessie is, what does it mean?'
'Speak a little lower, my son. It means that he is interested in her. There's nothing unusual in that.'
'But it may mean something more; it may mean that he is fond of her.'
'It may; and there would be nothing unusual in that. But it does not follow that she is fond of him. Beware of the green-eyed monster, my son. Good heaven, the souls of all my tribe defend from jealousy! Take a lesson from an old stager.' (But what the lesson was he did not state.) 'Why don't you ask Turk about it?'
'I have my reasons; I would rather Turk should not know anything of this.'
'Well, I'll find out for you, quietly between ourselves. Old Mac knows the signs. He has seen a few things, old Mac has. Only don't you run away with the idea that there's anything wrong in a gentleman speaking to an actress. I daresay it's through him that my fair friend has got this chance. Well, why shouldn't she speak to him, then? I know what you feel, my son. I've felt the same myself, and wouldn't mind feeling so again. It comes in the regular course of things.'
I went outside the theatre with him, and made an excuse to get rid of him. Then I waited, in the hope of seeing Jessie; and bearing in mind Jessie's words, 'If we meet again it must be at my own time, and in my own way,' I resolved not to show myself to her. She came out in the course of half an hour, accompanied by Mr. Glover. I walked behind them at some distance on the opposite side of the road, making many shifts and pretences of looking in shop-windows, so that they should not see me. But Mr. Glover, happening to turn his head in my direction, caught sight of me. I saw the flash of recognition in his eyes. He must have uttered an exclamation, for Jessie turned, and also saw me. I hesitated for one moment; should I retrace my steps, or walk boldly on? Jessie decided the question for me, by running towards me. Her face was scarlet, but that might have been caused by her running too quickly, for her breath came fast.