He was paying little attention to the boy’s assurances as he went away. His step had become a little firmer as he turned toward home. He seemed more like himself when he entered the house and smiled into his wife’s alertly questioning eyes.
“It’s all right, I’m to get away,” he explained. “I’m away now, strictly speaking. I want to pack up a few things some time to-day and get the early morning train for Torreon.”
She seemed quite gleeful over this cheerful information. She helped him make selection of the things he would need, and she was ready with many helpful suggestions. It seemed that his train left the Eagle Pass station at five o’clock in the morning—a rather awkward hour; but he did not mind, he said.
They spent the day together without any restraints, seemingly. There were a good many things to do, and Sylvia was happy in the thought of serving him. If he regarded her now and again with an expression of smouldering fire in his eyes she was unaware of the fact. She sang as she worked, interrupting her song at frequent intervals to admonish him against this forgetfulness or that.
She seemed to be asleep when, an hour before daybreak, he stirred and left her side. But she was awake immediately.
“Is it time to go?” she asked sleepily.
“I hoped I needn’t disturb you,” he said. “Yes, I ought to be getting on my way to the station.”
She lay as if she were under a spell while he dressed and made ready to go out. Her eyes were wide open, though she seemed to see nothing. Perhaps she was merely stupid as a result of being awakened; or it may be that indefinable, foreboding thoughts filled her mind.
When he came to say good-by to her she put her arms around his neck. “Try to have a good time,” she said, “and come back to me your old self again.”