While reading the music, Anne listened continually for sounds below. A cab stopped at the door. Steps in the corridor. She rose involuntarily and stretched her arms out as if she wanted to stop someone who passed by.... The noise ceased outside and her arms felt weary.
Adam Walter watched her attentively and at the same time peered relentlessly into his own mind. He too felt now what so many others had suffered; he thought with physical pain of the other who was expected and passed by.... An expression of despair passed over his face. Then, as if sneering at himself, he raised his low brows and put his violin aside.
She started and looked at him enquiringly.
“I can’t to-day.” Walter’s voice attempted to be harsh and repellent, but his eyes were hopelessly sad.
Anne did not detain him when he started to go. She felt relieved; now there was no more need to control her expression, her movements. She ran towards her husband’s room.
Thomas stood with his back to the door in the middle of the room.
“So you no longer even come to see me?” she asked, and there was warmth in her voice.
“I knew you had company. I wanted to be alone.”
Anne stepped back but she did not leave the room as she would have done at any other time. Thomas started walking up and down. Several times he touched his left breast pocket and pressed his open hand against his chest. He stopped suddenly before Anne.
“I thank you for staying,” he said excitedly. “I must speak to you.”