the captives-第87章

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He　nodded。　〃Yes；　I　know。　You　mustn't　come　here；　though。　We've　nothing　to　say　to　one　another　nowadaysno；　nothing。〃　He　didn't　look　at　her；　his　eyes　were　turned　towards　the　grimy　window。

She　had　an　astonishing　sense　of　her　possession　of　him。　She　laughed　and　came　close　to　the　table。

〃I'm　not　going　away；　Martin　。　。　。　not　until　we've　had　a　talk。　Nothing　can　make　me。　So　there！〃

He　was　looking　at　her　again。

〃Why；　you've　cut　your　hair！〃　he　said。

〃Yes。〃　she　said。

Then　he　turned　roughly　right　round　upon　her　as　though　he　meant　to　end　the　matter　once　and　for　all。

〃Look　here！　。　。　。　I　do　mean　what　I　say〃　He　was　cut　off　then　by　a　fit　of　coughing。　He　leant　back　against　the　wall　and　fought　with　it；　his　hand　against　his　chest。　She　made　no　movement　and　said　no　word　while　the　attack　lasted。

He　gasped；　recovering　his　breath；　then；　speaking　in　a　voice　lower　than　before：　〃I　mean　what　I　say。　I　don't　want　you。　I　don't　want　any　one。　There's　nothing　for　us　to　say　to　one　another。　It's　only　waste　of　time。〃

〃Yes；〃　she　answered。　〃That's　your　side　of　the　question。　There's　also　mine。　Once　before　you　had　your　own　way　and　I　was　very　miserable　about　it。　Now　it's　my　turn。　I'm　going　to　stay　here　until　we've　talked。〃

He　turned；　his　face　working　angrily；　upon　her。

〃You　can't　stay　here。　It's　impossible。　What　do　you　do　it　for　when　I　tell　you　I　don't　want　you？　First　my　sister　。　。　。　then　you　。　。　。　come　here　spying。　Well；　now　you're　seen　what　it's　like；　haven't　you？　Very　jolly；　isn't　it？　Very　handsome？　You'd　better　go　away　again；　then。　You've　seen　all　you've　wanted　to。〃

〃I'm　not　going　away；〃　repeated　Maggie；　〃I　didn't　come　to　spy。　You　know　that。　Of　course　you　can　turn　me　out；　but　you'll　have　to　use　force。〃

〃Oh；　no；　I　won't；〃　he　answered。　〃There　are　other　ways。〃

He　disappeared　into　the　other　room。　A　moment　later　he　returned；　he　was　wearing　a　soft　black　hat　and　a　shabby　grey　overcoat。

〃You'll　get　tired　of　waiting；　I　expect；〃　he　said；　and；　without　looking　at　her　but　just　touching　her　arm　as　he　brushed　past　her；　he　left　the　room。　She　heard　him　descend　the　stairs。　Then　the　street…　door　closed。

She　sat　down　upon　the　shabby　red　sofa　and　looked　about　her。　What　a　horrible　room！　Its　darkness　was　tainted　with　a　creeping　coldness　that　seemed　to　steal　in　wavering　gusts　from　wall　to　wall。　The　carpet　was　faded　to　a　nondescript　colour　and　was　gashed　into　torn　strips　near　the　fireplace。　No　pictures　were　on　the　walls　from　which　the　wall…paper　was　peeling。　He　had　done　nothing　whatever　to　make　it　more　habitable。

He　must　have　been　staying　there　for　several　weeks；　and　yet　there　were　no　signs　of　any　personal　belongings。　Nothing　of　himself　to　be　seen！　Nothing！　It　was　as　though　in　the　bitterness　of　his　spirit　he　had　said　that　he　would　not　touch　such　a　spot　save；　of　necessity；　with　his　body。　It　should　remain；　so　far　as　be　might　go；　for　ever　tenantless。

She　felt　that。　She　seemed　to　be　now　marvellously　perceptive。　Until　an　hour　ago　she　had　been　lost；　ostracised；　now　she　was　at　home　again；　clear　in　purpose；　afraid　of　no　one　and　of　nothing。　Strangely；　although　his　sickness　both　of　body　and　soul　touched　her　to　the　very　depths　of　her　being；　her　predominant　sensation　was　of　happiness。　She　had　found　him　again！　Oh；　she　had　found　him　again！　Nothing；　in　this　world　or　the　next；　counted　in　comparison　with　that。　If　she　were　close　to　him　she　would　make　him　well；　she　would　make　him　rich；　she　would　make　him　happy。　Where　he　had　been；　what　he　had　done；　mattered　nothing。　Where　she　had　been；　what　she　had　done；　nothing。　Nothing　in　their　two　lives　counted　but　their　meeting　again；　and　she　who　had　been　always　so　shy　and　so　diffident　felt　no　doubt　at　all　about　his　returning　to　her。　There　would　be　a　fight。　As　she　looked　around　the　gradually　darkening　room　she　realised　that。　It　might　be　a　long　fight　and　a　difficult　one；　but　that　she　would　win　she　had　no　doubt。　It　had　been　preordained　that　she　should　win。　No　one　on　this　earth　or　above　it　could　beat　her。

Gradually　she　became　more　practical。　Slowly　she　formed　her　plans。　First；　what　had　Martin　done？　Perhaps　he　had　told　the　woman　of　the　house　that　she；　Maggie；　was　to　be　turned　out；　did　she　not；　of　herself；　go　away。　No；　Martin　would　not　do　that。　Maggie　knew　quite　confidently　that　he　would　never　allow　any　one　to　insult　her。　Perhaps　Martin　would　not　come　back　at　all。　Perhaps　his　hat　and　his　coat　were　his　only　possessions。　That　was　a　terrible　thought！　Had　he　gone；　leaving　no　trace；　how　would　she　ever　find　him　again？　She　remembered　then　that　he　had　gone　straight　downstairs　and　out　of　the　house。　He　had　not　spoken　to　the　landlady。　That　did　not　look　like　a　permanent　departure。　But　she　would　make　certain。

She　pushed　open　the　other　door　and　peeped　into　the　further　room。　She　saw　a　dirty　unmade　bed；　a　tin　washhand　stand；　and　an　open　carpet…bag　filled　with　soiled　linen。　No；　he　would　come　back。

She　sat　there　thinking　out　her　plans。　She　was　suddenly　clear；　determined；　resourceful；　all　the　things　that　she　had　never　been　in　her　life　before。　First　she　must　see　the　landlady；　next　she　must　go　to　the　shopsbut　suppose　he　should　return　while　she　was　there；　pack　his　bag　and　leave　for　ever？　She　must　risk　that。　She　thought　that　he　would　not　return　at　once　because　he　would　want；　as　he　said；　〃to　tire　her　out。〃　〃To　tire　her　out！〃　She　laughed　at　that。　She　looked　about　the　room　and　decided　how　she　would　improve　it。　She　nodded　to　herself。　Yes；　and　the　bedroom　too。　All　this　time　she　was　so　happy　that　she　could　scarcely　prevent　herself　from　singing　aloud。

She　went　out；　down　the　dark　stairs；　and　found　the　maid；　under　a　swinging　candle…flame；　still　scrubbing。　How　strange　that　in　that　short　space　of　time；　when　the　whole　of　life　had　altered　for　her；　that　girl　had　been　on　her　knees　scrubbing！

〃Could　you　tell　me；　please；〃　she　asked；　〃whether　I　could　see　somebody　who　is　in　charge　of　this　housethe　landlady　or〃

〃Is　there　anything　I　can　do？〃　said　a　voice　behind　her。

She　turned　to　find　a　short　stout　woman　in　voluminous　blackblack　bonnet；　black　cape；　black　gloveswatching　her　with　sharp　bright　eyes。

〃Are　you　the　landlady？〃　Maggie　asked。

〃I　ham；〃　said　the　woman。　〃Mrs。　Brandonma'am。〃

The　servant…girl　had　suspended　operations；　kneeling　up　and　watching　with　open　mouth　developments。

〃I'm　very　glad　to　meet　you；〃　said　Maggie。　〃How　do　you　do？〃

〃How　do　you　do；　ma'am？〃　said　Mrs。　Brandon。

〃The　point　is　just　this；〃　said　Maggie；　speaking　rather　fast　as　though　she　were　confused；　which　she　was　not。　〃Mr。　Warlock　is　a　very　old　friend　of　mine　and　I'm　afraid　he's　very　ill　indeed。　He's　very　ill　and　there's　nobody　to　look　after　him。　What　I　was　wondering　was　whether　there　was　a　bedroom　in　your　house　that　I　could　haveso　that　I　could　look　after　him；　you　see；　and　get　him　anything　he　wants。〃

Mrs。　Brandon　overlooked　Maggie　from　head　to　footvery　slowly　she　did　it；　her　eyes　passing　over　the　rather　shabby　black　hat；　the　short　hair；　the　plain　black　dress；　the　shoes　worn　and　soiled。　She　also　looked　at　Maggie's　wedding…ring。

〃Well；　Mrs。〃　she　began。

〃Mrs。　Trenchard　is　my　name；〃　said　Maggie；　blushing　in　spite　of　herself　at　the　long　scrutiny。

〃I　'ope　you're　not　reproaching　anybody　with　neglect　of　the　gentleman。〃　She　had　an　action；　as　she　talked；　of　flinging　a　very　seedy…looking　black　boa　back　across　her　neck　vindictively。　〃Wot　I　mean　to　say　is　that　gentleman　lodgers　must　take　their　chance　and　e's　two　weeks　overdue　with　'is　rent　as　it　is　。　。　。　but　of　course　I'm　not　saying　I　couldn't　oblige。　'E's　a　nice　gentleman　too；　although　not　talkative　so　to　speak；　but　if　it　would　give　'im　'appiness　to　'ave　a　lady　friend　close　at　'and　as　you　might　say；　why　I　wouldn't　like　to　be　one　to　stand　in　'is　way。　'Live　and　let　live；'　'as　always　been　my　motter；　and　a　very　good　one　too。〃

She　said　all　this　very　slowly；　with　a　good　many　significant　pauses。　Maggie；　however；　felt　nothing　but　happiness　at　the　prospect　of　getting　her　way。　She　had　gone　far　beyond　all　personal　sensations　of　shame　or　fear　or　hesitation。

〃Would　you　show　me　the　room；　please？〃　she　asked。

They　pushed　past　the　servant…girl；　whose　eyes　followed　them　up　the　stairs　with　hungry　curiosity。

They　climbed　to　the　top　of　the　house。　Mrs。　Brandon　displayed　a　dark　sulky　little　room　with　damp　of　the　tomb　clinging　to　its　wall。

〃Ten　bob　a　week；〃　she　said。　She　sunk　her　voice　to　a　confidential　whisper。　〃The　best　of　this　'ouse　is　that　you　can　do　what　you　like。　No　one　minds　and　no　one　sees。　'Them　as　lives　in　glass　'ouses。'　That's　what　I　say。〃

〃I'll　take　it；〃　said　Maggie。

〃You'll　be　wanting　a　key；　my　dear；〃　said　Mrs。　Brandon；　suddenly　very　friendly。　〃To　let　yerself　in　an'　out　at　nights。　I'll　fetch　yer　one。〃

She　did。　Maggie　thanked　her。

〃I　wonder；〃　she　said；　〃whether　you　have　such　a　thing　as　a　small　basket　you　could　lend　me。　I'm　going　out　to　buy　one　or　two　necessaries。〃

〃Certingly；〃　said　Mrs。　Brandon；　all　smiles。　〃Certingly；　and　anythink　else　you'll　be　needing。　All　you've　got　to　do　is　ter　ask。〃

This　settled；　Maggie　departed　on　her　shopping　expedition。　She　was　still　driven　by　a　curious　clarity　and　decision　as　to　what　she　wanted　to　do。　She　felt　as　though　she　could　conquer　the　world　to…day　and　then　parcel　it　out　equitably　and　with　success　amongst　the　greedy　kings　of　the　earth。　What　were　kings　to　her　now　that　she　had　found　Martin？　Less　than　the　dust　。　。　。

Lynton　Street　offered　her　nothing　but　dirty　and　grime…stained　windows；　but　she　found　her　way　into　King　Edward　Street；　and　here　there　were　many　shops。　She　had　not　very　much　money　actually　upon　her；　and　the　remainder　of　her　precious　three　hundred　was　locked　up　in　a　bank　in　Skeaton；　but　it　was　a　bank　that　had；　she　knew；　branches　in　London。　She　looked　in　her　purse　and　found　that　she　had　three　pounds；　twelve　shillings　and　sixpence。　Martin　must　have　his　meals　upon　something　other　than　paper；　so　the　probability　was　that　there　was　crockery　of　a　kind　in　his　roomor　perhaps　Mrs。　Brandon　supplied　it。　Nevertheless　Maggie's　first　purchases　were　a　blue　teapot；　two　blue　plates；　and　two　blue　cups　and　saucers。

As　to　food　she　must　get　something　that　could　be　cooked　easily　on　his　fire。　She　bought　three　of　the　freshest　possible　eggs；　half　a　dozen　sausages；　a　loaf　of　bread；　half　a　pound　of　butter；　two　pots　of　jam；　one　pot　of　marmalade；　some　apples；　a　pound　of　tea；　a　pound　of　sugar。

〃This　will　do　as　a　start；〃　she　said　to　herself。

She　was　just　about　to　turn　into　Lynton　Street　when　she　stopped　at　a　flower　shop。　In　the　window；　smiling　at　her　most　fragrantly　under　the　gas…light　was　a　white　hyacinth　in　a　blue　pot。　It　seemed　to　speak　to　her　with；　the　same　significance　as　once　the　ring　with　the　three　pearls；　as　though　it　said：　〃You've　got　to　use　me。　I'm　a　link　in　the　chain。〃

She　went　in　and　asked　its　price；　not　very　much；　considering　the　splendour　of　the　blue　pot。　She　bought　it。　She　was　glad　that　13A　was　not　far；　because　now　the　basket　and　the　flower　weighed　heavily　upon　her。

She　climbed　the　stairs　to　Martin's　room　with　beating　heart。　Suppose　he　had　returned　and　was　there　and　would　not　let　her　in？　Or　suppose；　worse　than　that；　that　he　had　returned；　packed　his　bag　and　gone　away　again？　Her　heart　was　beating　so　terribly　when　at　last　she　had　arrived　outside　the　door　that　she　had　to　put　down　the　hyacinth　and　the　basket　and　stand　for　a　minute　there；　panting。

She　pushed　back　the　door；　the　ro