the dust-第42章

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f　they　had　been　explaining　some　still　newer　and　bigger　idea　not　yet　accomplished。〃

〃You　don't　think　Mr。　Hallowell　was　mad？〃

〃He　was　mad；　assuming　that　you　are　the　standard　of　sanity。　　Otherwise；　he　was　a　great　man。　　There'll　be　statues　erected　and　pages　of　the　book　of　fame　devoted　to　the　men　who　carry　out　his　ideas。〃

〃His　death　was　certainly　a　great　loss　to　his　daughter；〃　said　Tetlow　in　his　heaviest；　most　bourgeois　manner。

〃I　said　he　was　a　great　man；〃　observed　Norman。　〃I　didn't　say　he　was　a　great　father。　　A　great　man　is　never　a　great　father。　　It　takes　a　small　man　to　be　a　great　father。〃

〃At　any　rate；　her　having　no　parents　or　relatives　doesn't　matter；　now　that　she　has　you；〃　said　Tetlow；　his　manner　at　once　forced　and　constrained。

〃Um；〃　muttered　Norman。

Said　Tetlow：　　〃Perhaps　you　misunderstood　why　I　I　acted　as　I　did　about　her；　toward　the　last。〃

〃It　was　of　no　importance；〃　said　Norman　brusquely。　〃I　wish　to　hear　nothing　about　it。〃

〃But　I　must　explain；　Fred。　　She　piqued　me　by　showing　so　plainly　that　she　despised　me。　　I　must　admit　the　truth；　though　I've　got　as　much　vanity　as　the　next　man；　and　don't　like　to　admit　it。　　She　despised　me；　and　it　made　me　mad。〃

An　expression　of　grim　satire　passed　over　Norman's　face。　　Said　he：　　〃She　despised　me；　too。〃

〃Yes；　she　did；〃　said　Tetlow。　　〃And　both　of　us　were　certainly　greatly　her　superiorsin　every　substantial　way。　　It　seemed　to　me　mostmost〃

〃Most　impertinent　of　her？〃　suggested　Norman。

〃Precisely。　　MOST　impertinent。〃

〃Rather　say；　ignorant　and　small。　　My　dear　Tetlow；　let　me　tell　you　something。　　Anybody；　however　insignificant；　can　be　loved。　　To　be　loved　means　nothing；　except　possibly　a　hallucination　in　the　brain　of　the　lover。　But　to　LOVEthat's　another　matter。　　Only　a　great　soul　is　capable　of　a　great　love。〃

〃That　is　true；〃　murmured　Tetlow　sentimentally；　preening　in　a　quiet；　gentle　way。

Said　Norman　sententiously：　　〃YOU　stopped　loving。　It　was　_I_　that　kept　on。〃

Tetlow　looked　uncomfortable。　　〃Yesyes；〃　he　said。　〃But　we　were　talking　of　herof　her　not　appreciating　the　love　she　got。　　And　I　was　about　to　say〃　Earnestly　　〃Fred；　she's　not　to　be　blamed　for　her　folly！　She's　very；　very　youngand　has　all　the　weaknesses　and　vanities　of　youth〃

〃Here　we　are；〃　interrupted　Norman。

The　hansom　had　stopped　in　Forty…second　Street　before　the　deserted　but　still　brilliantly　lighted　entrances　to　the　great　hotel。　　Norman　sprang　out　so　lightly　and　surely　that　Tetlow　wondered　how　it　was　possible　for　this　to　be　the　man　who　had　been　racketing　and　roistering　day　after　day；　night　after　night　for　nearly　a　week。　He　helped　the　heavy　and　awkward　Tetlow　to　descend；　said：

〃You'll　have　to　pay；　Bill。　　I've　got　less　than　a　dollar　left。　　And　I　touched　Gaskill　for　a　hundred　and　fifty　to…night。　　You　can　imagine　how　drunk　he　was；　to　let　me　have　it。　　How　they've　been　shying　off　from　ME　these　last　few　months！〃

〃And　you　want　GALLOWAY　to　come　to　YOU；〃　thrust　Tetlow；　as　he　counted　out　the　money。

〃Don't　go　back　and　chew　on　that；〃　laughed　Norman。　　〃It's　settled。〃　　He　took　the　money；　gave　it　to　the　driver。　　〃Thanks；〃　he　said　to　Tetlow。　　〃I'll　pay　you　to…morrowthat　is；　later　to…daywhen　you　send　me　another　check。〃

〃Why　should　you　pay　for　my　cab？〃　rejoined　Tetlow。

〃Because　it's　easier　for　me　to　make　money　than　it　is　for　you；〃　replied　Norman。　　〃If　you　were　in　my　positionthe　position　I've　been　in　for　monthswould　anybody　on　earth　give　you　three　thousand　dollars　a　month？〃

Tetlow　looked　sour。　　His　good　nature　was　rubbing　thin　in　spots。

〃Don't　lose　your　temper；〃　laughed　Norman。　〃I'm　pounding　away　at　you　about　my　superiority；　partly　because　I've　been　drinking；　but　chiefly　for　your　own　goodso　that　you'll　realize　I'm　right　and　not　mess　things　with　Galloway。〃

They　went　up　to　Norman's　suite。　　Norman　tried　to　unlock　the　door；　found　it　already　unlocked。　　He　turned　the　knob；　threw　the　door　wide　for　Tetlow　to　enter　first。　Then；　over　Tetlow's　shoulder　he　saw　on　the　marble…　topped　center　table　Dorothy's　hat　and　jacket；　the　one　she　had　worn　away；　the　only　one　she　had。　　He　stared　at　them；　then　at　Tetlow。　　A　confused　look　in　the　fat；　slow　face　made　him　say　sharply：

〃What　does　this　mean；　Tetlow？〃

〃Not　so　loud；　Fred；〃　said　Tetlow；　closing　the　door　into　the　public　hall。　　〃She's　in　the　bedroomprobably　asleep。　　She's　been　here　since　yesterday。〃

〃You　brought　her　back？〃　demanded　Norman。

〃She　wanted　to　come。　　I　simply〃

Norman　made　a　silencing　gesture。　　Tetlow's　faltering　voice　stopped　short。　　Norman　stood　near　the　table；　his　hands　deep　in　his　trousers'　pockets；　his　gaze　fixed　upon　the　hat　and　jacket。　　When　Tetlow's　agitation　could　bear　the　uncertainties　of　that　silence　no　longer；　he　went　on：

〃Fred；　you　mustn't　forget　how　young　and　inexperienced　she　is。　　She's　been　foolish；　but　nothing　more。　She's　as　pure　as　when　she　came　into　the　world。　　And　it's　the　truth　that　she　wanted　to　come　back。　　I　saw　it　as　soon　as　I　began　to　talk　with　her。〃

〃What　are　you　chattering　about？〃　said　Norman　fiercely。　　〃Why　did　you　meddle　in　my　affairs？　　Why　did　you　bring　her　back？〃

〃I　knew　she　needed　you；〃　pleaded　Tetlow。　　〃Then；　tooI　was　afraid　　I　knew　how　you　acted　before；　and　I　thought　you'd　not　get　your　gait　again　until　you　had　her。〃

Norman　gave　a　short　sardonic　laugh。　　〃If　you'd　only　stop　trying　to　understand　me！〃　he　said。

Tetlow　was　utterly　confused。　　〃But；　Fred；　you　don't　realizenot　all；〃　he　cried　imploringly。　　〃She　discoveredshe　thinks；　I　believethat　issheshe　that　probablythat　in　a　few　months　you'll　be　something　more　than　a　husbandand　she　something　more　than　a　wifethat　youthatyou　and　she　will　be　a　father　and　a　mother。〃

Tetlow's　meaning　slowly　dawned　on　Norman。　　He　seated　himself　in　his　favorite　attitude；　legs　sprawled；　fingers　interlaced　behind　his　head。

〃Wasn't　I　right　to　bring　her　backto　tell　her　she　needn't　fear　to　come？〃　pleaded　Tetlow。

Norman　made　no　reply。　　After　a　brief　silence　he　said：　　〃Well；　good　night；　old　man。　　Come　round　to　my　office　any　time　after　ten。〃　　He　rose　and　gave　Tetlow　his　hand。　　〃And　arrange　for　Galloway　whenever　you　like。　　Good　night。〃

Tetlow　hesitated。　　〃Fredyou'll　not　be　harsh　to　her？〃　he　said。

Norman　smileda　satirical　smile；　yet　exquisitely　gentle。　　〃If　you　ONLY　wouldn't　try　to　understand　me；　Bill；〃　he　said。

When　he　was　alone　he　sat　lost　in　thought。　　At　last　he　rang　for　a　bell　boy。　　And　when　the　boy　came；　he　said：　　〃That　door　there〃indicating　one　in　the　opposite　wall　of　the　sitting　room〃what　does　it　lead　into？〃

〃Another　bedroom；　sir。〃

〃Unlock　it；　and　tell　them　at　the　office　I　wish　that　room　added　to　my　suite。〃

As　soon　as　the　additional　bedroom　was　at　his　dis…　posal；　he　went　in　and　began　to　undress。　　When　he　had　taken　off　coat　and　waistcoat　he　paused　to　telephone　to　the　office　a　call　for　eight　o'clock。　　As　he　finished　and　hung　up　the　receiver；　a　sound　from　the　direction　of　the　sitting　room　made　him　glance　in　there。　　On　the　threshold　of　the　other　bedroom　stood　his　wife。　　She　was　in　her　nightgown；　her　hair；　done　in　a　single　thick　braid；　hung　down　across　her　bosom。　　There　was　in　the　room　and　upon　her　childish　loveliness　the　strange　commingling　of　lights　and　shadows　that　falls　when　the　electricity　is　still　on　and　the　early　morning　light　is　pushing　in　at　the　windows。　　They　looked　at　each　other　in　silence　for　some　time。　　If　she　was　frightened　or　in　the　least　embarrassed　she　did　not　show　it。　　She　simply　looked　at　him；　while　ever　so　slowly　a　smile　dawned　a　gleam　in　the　eyes；　a　flutter　round　the　lips；　growing　merrier　and　merrier。　　He　did　not　smile。　　He　continued　to　regard　her　gravely。

〃I　heard　you　and　Mr。　Tetlow　come　in；〃　she　said。　〃Thenyou　talked　so　longI　fell　asleep　again。　　I　only　this　minute　awakened。〃

〃Well；　now　you　can　go　to　sleep　again；〃　said　he。

〃But　I'm　not　a　bit　sleepy。　　What　are　you　doing　in　that　room　？〃

She　advanced　toward　his　door。　　He　stood　aside。　She　peeped　in。　　She　was　so　close　to　him　that　her　nightgown　brushed　the　bosom　of　his　shirt。　　〃Another　bedroom！〃　she　exclaimed。　　〃Just　like　ours。〃

〃I　didn't　wish　to　disturb　you；〃　said　he；　calm　and　grave。

〃But　you　wouldn't　have　been　disturbing　me；〃　protested　she；　leaning　against　the　door　frame；　less　than　two　feet　away　and　directly　facing　him。

〃I'll　stay　on　here；〃　said　he。

She　gazed　at　him　with　great　puzzled　eyes。　　〃Aren't　you　glad　I'm　back？〃　she　asked。

〃Certainly；〃　said　he　with　a　polite　smile。　　〃But　I　must　get　some　sleep。〃　　And　he　moved　away。

〃You　must　let　me　tell　you　how　I　happened　to　go　and　why　I　came〃

〃Please；〃　he　interrupted；　looking　at　her　with　a　piercing　though　not　in　the　least　unfriendly　expression　that　made　her　grow　suddenly　pale　and　thoughtful。　　〃I　do　not　wish　to　hear　about　itnot　nownot　ever。　　Tetlow　told　me　all　that　it's　necessary　for　me　to　know。　You　have　come　to　stay；　I　assume？〃

〃Yesif〃her　lip　quivered〃if　you'll　let　me。〃

〃There　can　be　no　question　of　that；〃　said　he　with　the　same　polite　gravity　he　had　maintained　throughout。

〃You　want　me　to　leave　you　alone？〃

〃Please。　　I　need　sleep　badlyand　I've　only　three　hours。〃

〃You　areangry　with　me？〃

He　looked　placidly　into　her　lovely；　swimming　eyes。　〃Not　in　the　least。〃

〃But　how　can　you　help　being？　　I　acted　dreadfully。〃

He　smiled　gently。　　〃But　you　are　backand　the　incident　is　closed。〃

She　looked　down　at　the　carpet；　her　fingers　playing　with　her　braid；　twisting　and　untwisting　its　strands。　　He　stood　waiting　to　close　the　door。　　She　said；　without　lifting　her　eyessaid　in　a　quiet；　expressionless　way；　〃I　have　killed　your　love？〃

〃I'll　not　trouble　you　any　more；〃　evaded　he。　　And　he　laid　his　hand　significantly　upon　the　knob。

〃I　don't　understand；〃　she　murmured。　　Then；　with　a　quick　apologetic　glance　at　him；　〃But　I'm　very　inconsiderate。　　You　want　to　sleep。　　Good　night。〃

〃Good　night；〃　said　he；　beginning　to　close　the　door。

She　impulsively　stood　close　before　him；　lifted　her　small　white　face；　as　if　for　a　kiss。　　〃Do　you　forgive　me？〃　she　asked。　　〃I　was　foolish。　　I　didn't　understand　till　I　went　back。　　Thennothing　was　the　same。　　And　I　knew　I　wasn't　fitted　for　that　lifeand　didn't　really　care　for　himand〃

He　kissed　her　on　the　brow。　　〃Don't　agitate　yourself；〃　said　he。　　〃And　we　will　never　speak　of　this　again。〃

She　shrank　as　if　he　had　struck　her。　　Her　head　drooped；　and　her　shoulders。　　When　she　was　clear　of　the　door；　he　quietly　closed　it。



XIX


IT　was　not　many　minutes　after　ten　when　Tetlow　hurried　into　Norman's　office。　　〃Galloway's　coming　at　eleven！〃　said　he；　with　an　air　of　triumph。

〃So　you　mulled　over　what　I　said　and　decided　that　I　was　not　altogether　drunk？〃

〃I　wasn't　sure　of　that；〃　replied　Tetlow。　　〃But　I　was　afraid　you'd　be　offended　if　I　didn't　try　to　get　him。　He　gave　me　no　trouble　at　all。　　As　soon　as　I　told　him　you'd　be　glad　to　see　him　at　your　office；　he　astounded　me　by　saying　he'd　come。〃

〃He　and　I　have　had　dealings；〃　said　Norman。　〃He　understood　at　once。　　I　always　know　my　way　when　I'm　dealing　with　a　big　man。　　It's　only　the　little　people　that　are　muddled　and　complex。　　I　hope　you'll　not　forget　this　lesson；　Billy。〃

〃I　shan't；〃　promised　Tetlow。

〃We　are　to　be　partners；〃　pursued　Norman。　　〃We　shall　be　intimately　associated　for　years。　　You'll　save　me　a　vast　amount　of　time　and　energy　and　yourself　a　vast　amount　of　fuming　and　fretting；　if　you'll　simply　accept　what　I　say；　without　discussion。　　When　I　want　discussion　I'll