“Siberia! Yes! I’ve been up there almost a year and a half, working among the Czechs.”
Johnathan’s body had not moved. Only his eyes and face. Again the father’s eyes sought Madelaine.
“Up in Siberia? Alone?”
“Yes. But I’m not going back alone. This is a very dear friend of mine. Madelaine, apparently I can introduce my father. Father, this is Miss Theddon. She is—going to be—my wife.”
“Your—wife? What’s become of——”
“Of Mildred? She died some time ago.”
“My God!” cried Johnathan weakly. He rubbed the back of a puffy hand across his forehead. Down back of the counter he moved unsteadily to reach the intersection where he could come out from behind the cases. He had not acknowledged Madelaine or the introduction, by the way. It was a distressing moment for Madelaine but she recovered as Johnathan came up.
“I’m sure I’m delighted to meet Nathan’s father,” she said.
Johnathan gave her a slight nod and turned at once to his son. In so far as he was concerned, she might have been marooned on a ring around Saturn.
The tears were streaking down Johnathan’s face. He raised his hands and gripped the boy by his elbows.