VII
She seemed to have brought away with her some secret of the coat—a touch of its mystery and charm.
Richard watched her as she went about the house, occupied with little things. He fancied there was a look in her face that came and went shadowily—as if the curtains before a hidden place were swept aside by an unseen wind.... And before he could look again—it was gone.
Her face in repose was very common-place, he knew; it had grown a little full and there was a humorous, almost conceited, little upward twist to the mouth, that he found annoying.... And then suddenly, when she was off guard, the look had fled and he was gazing at the strange face.
He found himself growing troubled, driven by a force he did not quite comprehend—a disbelief in the solid earth and the turning of the seasons.... He had sown grass-seed in the new lot; the wall was finished and vines had been planted at its base. But the lot had to his eyes an unsubstantial look. He had an almost superstitious feeling that it had been bought with a price.
He had gone back for the Chinese coat the Monday morning after they were there. He was waiting at the door when the store opened and he hurried directly to the first floor, too impatient to wait for the elevator to make its trip.
The woman saw him coming. She stopped her work and waited.... He fancied her look was a little startled.
He told her he would take the coat. He would pay part on it and have the rest charged—he would take it with him.
Little by little he grasped the fact that the coat was gone.
“But we were here late! There was no one else.... You had no chance to sell it!” He could have believed she was lying to him.