“Jesse!” she cried.
He did not speak or move. He stood there, his straw hat pushed back, staring at her with narrowed eyes.
“Jesse!” she said again.
She half rose from her chair, her own eyes dilated and fixed upon him. Then some one near her stirred, and the sound recalled her to her surroundings. Here was the stage upon which she was accustomed[Pg 304] to play a leading part, and every one was looking at her.
She sank back into the chair again, with a laugh.
“You beast!” she said. “You startled me so! Why didn’t you tell me you were coming home, Jesse? Have you had your dinner?”
He gave his hat to a servant, and sat down in the one chair that was vacant. Now he had found out; now he knew. Startled her, had he? That was guilty terror he had seen in her face! Let her sit there smiling, radiant in her jewels, at the head of her own table! She was frightened, she couldn’t take her eyes off her husband.
“Hello, everybody!” he said genially. “Don’t let me spoil the party! Come on, now! All have another drink, eh?”
The response he got made him feel physically sick.
“God, what people!” he thought. “They’re all afraid of me—afraid of a row!”