A great cold was invading her. And as she looked at Harry, it was as if some key, some master key, were suddenly and noiselessly turned in the lock. Without moving her eyes, she saw beyond him the door, expecting to see the handle turn, and Nurse or Janey to come in. But the door remained motionless. Nevertheless, a key somewhere had turned. Everything was locked tight—the room, the walls, the bed, herself in it—as in a vice.
"Go back to your lessons," she said to Harry, "and send Janey to me." She felt a sudden imperative need of Janey.
But Harry, so docile, so schooled to obedience, made no motion to obey her. He only looked vacantly, expectantly at her.
She spoke again, but he paid no heed. She spoke yet again with anger, but this time he was fidgeting with the watch on her table and did not even look up. She saw him as if through a glass screen.
A wave of anger shook her.
"Leave the room this moment, and do as I tell you," she said, with her whole strength. Had he suddenly became deaf? Or had she——? Was she——? A great fear took her. He put back the watch on its stand, and touched the silver box in which the chocolates were kept.
"May I have another—just one other?" he said, opening it, his voice barely audible through the glass screen.
And then, glancing at her for permission, he was seized with helpless laughter.
"Oh, mamma! You do look so funny, with your mouth all on one side—funnier than the dog in the hat."
His words and his laughter reached her, faint yet distinct, and she understood what had befallen her. Two large tears gathered in her anguished eyes and then slowly ran down her distorted face. Everything else remained fixed, as in a vice, save Harry, rocking himself to and fro, and snapping his fingers with delight.