"Patricia!"
"She had tea with me this afternoon," Kathleen explained casually, drawing on her worn-out gloves; "and both being competent creatures, we settled up matters without you. By the way, you might let me have some money; any loose cash you have about you. We'll call it wages in lieu of notice, to save my dignity. My boxes will be sent after me directly I let Maggie know my address; I've given orders. Thank you, that's plenty.... Good-bye."
"But—what are you going to do? Kathleen, I must know ... considering——"
"Considering the long and happy years we've dwelt together?" she scoffed. "You've not the slightest claim to know, except sentimentalism. And I don't want bits of you still hanging about me, like wool from the box in which I've been smothered. Take the girl—I genuinely congratulate your choice—and be thankful you're quit of me—as I'm thankful to be quit of you!"
That stabbed him, even in his dazed condition resultant upon her announcement. After all, he had endured patiently during sixteen years of monotonous strife. He had not run away ... not attempted once to run away. "I'm sorry, Kathleen. I did my best...."
"Especially on a certain occasion last October. If you had let me go then...."
And again, subdued by the gloom of passionate regret which for an instant darkened her face, he repeated, humbly and ineffectually: "I'm sorry...."
"Well—we needn't linger any more over the farewells, need we?"
"Won't you wish me luck?" he entreated. And wondered why her laugh grated so harshly.... They were really humorous, these two people in love, each begging her for a final blessing on their union.
"With Patricia? Oh yes, I wish you luck."... An elfin gleam shot on him from beneath her heavy eyelids.