“And you bought her a necklace, Gordon, her—”
All that he now desired was to get Lettice safely home. Another wave of pain rose whitely over her countenance. “Come on, Lettice,” he urged; “just step into the buggy.” He waved toward the vehicle, toward the peacefully grazing horse, Mrs. Caley sitting upright and sallow.
“And take him right along with you,” Meta Beggs added; “your money’s tight around his neck.”
Resentment at the implied ignominy penetrated his self-esteem.
“We’re going right on now, Lettice,” he continued; “we must drive as careful as possible.”
“I don’t know that I want you,” his wife articulated slowly.
“You can decide that later,” he returned; “we’re going home first.”
She relaxed her fingers, and dropped the pasteboard box on the turf. She stood with her arms hanging limply, breathing in sharp inspirations. She gazed about at the valley, the half-distant maple grove: suddenly the youth momentarily returned to her, the frightened expression of a child abruptly conscious of isolation in an alien, unexpected setting.
“Gordon,” she said rapidly, “I had to come—find you ... something—” her voice sharpened with apprehension. “Tell me it will be all right. It won’t ... kill me.” She stumbled toward him, he caught her, and half carried her to the buggy, where he lifted her over the step and into the seat. A red-clad arm was supporting her on the other side: it was Meta Beggs.
“You drive,” he directed Mrs. Caley. He held Lettice with her face hidden against his shoulder. The valley was refulgent with early summer, the wheat was swelling greenly, the meadows, threaded by shining streams were sown with flowers, grazed by herds of cattle with hides like satin, the pellucid air was filled with indefinite birdsong. The buggy lurched over a hillock of grass, his wife shuddered in his arms, and an unaccustomed, vicarious pain contracted his heart. Where the fields gave upon the road the buggy dropped sharply; Lettice cried out uncontrollably. He cursed Mrs. Caley savagely under his breath, “Can’t you drive,” he asked; “can’t you?”