‘Well, let’s. What is neutral enough?’ she smiled.
‘I don’t believe there’s anything,’ he said, thinking a moment. ‘There’s nothing that wouldn’t lead me back instantly to you. There’s nothing in the whole world that doesn’t make me think of you. Why, just the paving stones—you walked on them. Just the shop-windows—Catherine has looked into these. Just the streets—she has passed this way. Now don’t, don’t stop up your ears—please don’t. Do listen. You see, you fill the world—oh don’t put your fingers in your ears——’
‘I wasn’t going to,’ she said. ‘I was only just thinking that I believe I’m going to have a headache.’
‘A headache?’
‘One of my headaches.’
‘Oh no—not really?’
He was aghast.
‘You’ll be all right when you’ve had some food,’ he said. ‘Are they bad? Do you get bad ones?’
‘Perhaps if we don’t talk for a little while——’ she murmured, shutting her eyes.
He went as dumb as a fish. His evening ... it would be too awful if it were spoiled, if she had to go home....