five tales-第31章

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ch　sense　of　time。　　It　was　a　shock　when；　pulling　out　his　watch；　he　saw　it　was　well　past　three。　　No　cashing　his　cheque　to…day…the　bank　would　be　closed　before　he　could　get　there。　Watching　his　expression；　the　little　girls　cried　out　at　once：

〃Hurrah！　　Now　you'll　have　to　stay！〃

Ashurst　did　not　answer。　　He　was　seeing　again　Megan's　face；　when　at　breakfast　time　he　had　whispered：　〃I'm　going　to　Torquay；　darling；　to　get　everything；　I　shall　be　back　this　evening。　　If　it's　fine　we　can　go　to…night。　　Be　ready。〃　　He　was　seeing　again　how　she　quivered　and　hung　on　his　words。　　What　would　she　think？　　Then　he　pulled　himself　together；　conscious　suddenly　of　the　calm　scrutiny　of　this　other　young　girl；　so　tall　and　fair　and　Diana…like；　at　the　edge　of　the　pool；　of　her　wondering　blue　eyes　under　those　brows　which　slanted　up　a　little。　If　they　knew　what　was　in　his　mindif　they　knew　that　this　very　night　he　had　meant！　　Well；　there　would　be　a　little　sound　of　disgust；　and　he　would　be　alone　in　the　cave。　　And　with　a　curious　mixture　of　anger；　chagrin；　and　shame；　he　put　his　watch　back　into　his　pocket　and　said　abruptly：

〃Yes；　I'm　dished　for　to…day。〃

〃Hurrah！　　Now　you　can　bathe　with　us。〃

It　was　impossible　not　to　succumb　a　little　to　the　contentment　of　these　pretty　children；　to　the　smile　on　Stella's　lips；　to　Halliday's　〃Ripping；　old　chap！　　I　can　lend　you　things　for　the　night！〃　But　again　a　spasm　of　longing　and　remorse　throbbed　through　Ashurst；　and　he　said　moodily：

〃I　must　send　a　wire！〃

The　attractions　of　the　pool　palling；　they　went　back　to　the　hotel。　Ashurst　sent　his　wire；　addressing　it　to　Mrs。　Narracombe：　〃Sorry；　detained　for　the　night；　back　to…morrow。〃　　Surely　Megan　would　understand　that　he　had　too　much　to　do；　and　his　heart　grew　lighter。　It　was　a　lovely　afternoon；　warm；　the　sea　calm　and　blue；　and　swimming　his　great　passion；　the　favour　of　these　pretty　children　flattered　him；　the　pleasure　of　looking　at　them；　at　Stella；　at　Halliday's　sunny　face；　the　slight　unreality；　yet　extreme　naturalness　of　it　allas　of　a　last　peep　at　normality　before　be　took　this　plunge　with　Megan！　　He　got　his　borrowed　bathing　dress；　and　they　all　set　forth。　　Halliday　and　he　undressed　behind　one　rock；　the　three　girls　behind　another。　　He　was　first　into　the　sea；　and　at　once　swam　out　with　the　bravado　of　justifying　his　self…given　reputation。　　When　he　turned　he　could　see　Halliday　swimming　along　shore；　and　the　girls　flopping　and　dipping；　and　riding　the　little　waves；　in　the　way　he　was　accustomed　to　despise；　but　now　thought　pretty　and　sensible；　since　it　gave　him　the　distinction　of　the　only　deep…water　fish。　　But　drawing　near；　he　wondered　if　they　would　like　him；　a　stranger；　to　come　into　their　splashing　group；　he　felt　shy；　approaching　that　slim　nymph。　　Then　Sabina　summoned　him　to　teach　her　to　float；　and　between　them　the　little　girls　kept　him　so　busy　that　he　had　no　time　even　to　notice　whether　Stella　was　accustomed　to　his　presence；　till　suddenly　he　heard　a　startled　sound　from　her：　She　was　standing　submerged　to　the　waist；　leaning　a　little　forward；　her　slim　white　arms　stretched　out　and　pointing；　her　wet　face　puckered　by　the　sun　and　an　expression　of　fear。

〃Look　at　Phil！　　Is　he　all　right？　　Oh；　look！〃

Ashurst　saw　at　once　that　Phil　was　not　all　right。　　He　was　splashing　and　struggling　out　of　his　depth；　perhaps　a　hundred　yards　away；　suddenly　he　gave　a　cry；　threw　up　his　arms；　and　went　down。　　Ashurst　saw　the　girl　launch　herself　towards　him；　and　crying　out：　〃Go　back；　Stella！　　Go　back！〃　　he　dashed　out。　　He　had　never　swum　so　fast；　and　reached　Halliday　just　as　he　was　coming　up　a　second　time。　　It　was　a　case　of　cramp；　but　to　get　him　in　was　not　difficult；　for　he　did　not　struggle。　　The　girl；　who　had　stopped　where　Ashurst　told　her　to；　helped　as　soon　as　he　was　in　his　depth；　and　once　on　the　beach　they　sat　down　one　on　each　side　of　him　to　rub　his　limbs；　while　the　little　ones　stood　by　with　scared　faces。　　Halliday　was　soon　smiling。　　It　washe　saidrotten　of　him；　absolutely　rotten！　　If　Frank　would　give　him　an

arm；　he　could　get　to　his　clothes　all　right　now。　　Ashurst　gave　him　the　arm；　and　as　he　did　so　caught　sight　of　Stella's　face；　wet　and　flushed　and　tearful；　all　broken　up　out　of　its　calm；　and　he　thought：　'I　called　her　Stella！　　Wonder　if　she　minded？'

While　they　were　dressing；　Halliday　said　quietly　〃You　saved　my　life；　old　chap！〃

〃Rot！；〃

Clothed；　but　not　quite　in　their　right　minds；　they　went　up　all　together　to　the　hotel　and　sat　down　to　tea；　except　Halliday；　who　was　lying　down　in　his　room。　　After　some　slices　of　bread　and　jam；　Sabina　said：

〃I　say；　you　know；　you　are　a　brick！〃　　And　Freda　chimed　in：

〃Rather！〃

Ashurst　saw　Stella　looking　down；　he　got　up　in　confusion；　and　went　to　the　window。　　From　there　he　heard　Sabina　mutter：　〃I　say；　let's　swear　blood　bond。　　Where's　your　knife；　Freda？〃　　and　out　of　the　corner　of　his　eye　could　see　each　of　them　solemnly　prick　herself；　squeeze　out　a　drop　of　blood　and　dabble　on　a　bit　of　paper。　　He　turned　and　made　for　the　door。

〃Don't　be　a　stoat！　　Come　back！〃　　His　arms　were　seized；　imprisoned　between　the　little　girls　he　was　brought　back　to　the　table。　　On　it　lay　a　piece　of　paper　with　an　effigy　drawn　in　blood；　and　the　three　names　Stella　Halliday；　Sabina　Halliday；　Freda　Hallidayalso　in　blood；　running　towards　it　like　the　rays　of　a　star。　　Sabina　said：

〃That's　you。　　We　shall　have　to　kiss　you；　you　know。〃

And　Freda　echoed：

〃Oh！　　BlowYes！〃

Before　Ashurst　could　escape；　some　wettish　hair　dangled　against　his　face；　something　like　a　bite　descended　on　his　nose；　he　felt　his　left　arm　pinched；　and　other　teeth　softly　searching　his　cheek。　　Then　he　was　released；　and　Freda　said：

〃Now；　Stella。〃

Ashurst；　red　and　rigid；　looked　across　the　table　at　a　red　and　rigid　Stella。　　Sabina　giggled；　Freda　cried：

'Buck　upit　spoils　everything！〃

A　queer；　ashamed　eagerness　shot　through　Ashurst：　then　he　said　quietly：

〃Shut　up；　you　little　demons！〃

Again　Sabina　giggled。

〃Well；　then；　she　can　kiss　her　hand；　and　you　can　put　it　against　your　nose。　　It　is　on　one　side！〃

To　his　amazement　the　girl　did　kiss　her　hand　and　stretch　it　out。　Solemnly　he　took　that　cool；　slim　hand　and　laid　it　to　his　cheek。　　The　two　little　girls　broke　into　clapping；　and　Freda　said：

〃Now；　then；　we　shall　have　to　save　your　life　at　any　time；　that's　settled。　　Can　I　have　another　cup；　Stella；　not　so　beastly　weak？〃　Tea　was　resumed；　and　Ashurst；　folding　up　the　paper；　put　it　in　his　pocket。　　The　talk　turned　on　the　advantages　of　measles；　tangerine　oranges；　honey　in　a　spoon；　no　lessons；　and　so　forth。　　Ashurst　listened；　silent；　exchanging　friendly　looks　with　Stella；　whose　face　was　again　of　its　normal　sun…touched　pink　and　white。　　It　was　soothing　to　be　so　taken　to　the　heart　of　this　jolly　family；　fascinating　to　watch　their　faces。　　And　after　tea；　while　the　two　little　girls　pressed　seaweed；　he　talked　to　Stella　in　the　window　seat　and　looked　at　her　water…colour　sketches。　　The　whole　thing　was　like　a　pleasurable　dream；　time　and　incident　hung　up；　importance　and　reality　suspended。　Tomorrow　he　would　go　back　to　Megan；　with　nothing　of　all　this　left　save　the　paper　with　the　blood　of　these　children；　in　his　pocket。　Children！　　Stella　was　not　quite　thatas　old　as　Megan！　　Her　talk　quick；　rather　hard　and　shy；　yet　friendlyseemed　to　flourish　on　his　silences；　and　about　her　there　was　something　cool　and　virginala　maiden　in　a　bower。　　At　dinner；　to　which　Halliday；　who　had　swallowed　too　much　sea…water；　did　not　come；　Sabina　said：

〃I'm　going　to　call　you　Frank。〃

Freda　echoed：

〃Frank；　Frank；　Franky。〃

Ashurst　grinned　and　bowed。

〃Every　time　Stella　calls　you　Mr。　Ashurst；　she's　got　to　pay　a　forfeit。　It's　ridiculous。〃

Ashurst　looked　at　Stella；　who　grew　slowly　red。　　Sabina　giggled；　Freda　cried：

〃She's　'smoking''smoking！'Yah！〃

Ashurst　reached　out　to　right　and　left；　and　grasped　some　fair　hair　in　each　hand。

〃Look　here；〃　he　said；　〃you　two！　　Leave　Stella　alone；　or　I'll　tie　you　together！〃

Freda　gurgled：

〃Ouch！　　You　are　a　beast！〃

Sabina　murmured　cautiously：

〃You　call　her　Stella；　you　see！〃

〃Why　shouldn't　I？　　It's　a　jolly　name！〃

〃All　right；　we　give　you　leave　to！〃

Ashurst　released　the　hair。　　Stella！　　What　would　she　call　himafter　this？　　But　she　called　him　nothing；　till　at　bedtime　he　said；　deliberately：

〃Good…night；　Stella！〃

〃Good…night；　Mr。　Good…night；　Frank！　　It　was　jolly　of　you；　you　know！〃

〃Oh…that！　　Bosh！〃

Her　quick；　straight　handshake　tightened　suddenly；　and　as　suddenly　became　slack。

Ashurst　stood　motionless　in　the　empty　sitting…room。　　Only　last　night；　under　the　apple　tree　and　the　living　blossom；　he　had　held　Megan　to　him；　kissing　her　eyes　and　lips。　　And　he　gasped；　swept　by　that　rush　of　remembrance。　　To…night　it　should　have　begun…his　life　with　her　who　only　wanted　to　be　with　him！　　And　now；　twenty…four　hours　and　more　must　pass；　because…of　not　looking　at　his　watch！　　Why　had　he　made　friends　with　this　family　of　innocents　just　when　he　was　saying　good…bye　to　innocence；　and　all　the　rest　of　it？　　'But　I　mean　to　marry　her；'　he　thought；　'I　told　her　so！'

He　took　a　candle；　lighted　it；　and　went　to　his　bedroom；　which　was　next　to　Halliday's。　　His　friend's　voice　called；　as　he　was　passing：

〃Is　that　you；　old　chap？　　I　say；　come　in。〃

He　was　sitting　up　in　bed；　smoking　a　pipe　and　reading。

〃Sit　down　a　bit。〃

Ashurst　sat　down　by　the　open　window。

〃I've　been　thinking　about　this　afternoon；　you　know；〃　said　Halliday　rather　suddenly。　　〃They　say　you　go　through　all　your　past。　　I　didn't。　I　suppose　I　wasn't　far　enough　gone。〃

〃What　did　you　think　of？〃

Halliday　was　silent　for　a　little；　then　said　quietly

〃Well；　I　did　think　of　one　thingrather　oddof　a　girl　at　Cambridge　that　I　might　haveyou　know；　I　was　glad　I　hadn't　got　her　on　my　mind。　Anyhow；　old　chap；　I　owe　it　to　you　that　I'm　here；　I　should　have　been　in　the　big　dark　by　now。　　No　more　bed；　or　baccy；　no　more　anything。　　I　say；　what　d'you　suppose　happens　to　us？〃

Ashurst　murmured：

〃Go　out　like　flames；　I　expect。〃

〃Phew！〃

〃We　may　flicker；　and　cling　about　a　bit；　perhaps。〃

〃H'm！　I　think　that's　rather　gloomy。　　I　say；　I　hope　my　young　sisters　have　been　decent　to　you？〃

〃Awfully　decent。〃

Halliday　put　his　pipe　down；　crossed　his　hands　behind　his　neck；　and　turned　his　face　towards　the　window。

〃They're　not　bad　kids！〃　　he　said。

Watching　his　friend；　lying　there；　with　that　smile；　and　the　candle…　light　on　his　face；　Ashurst　shuddered。　　Quite　true！　　He　might　have　been　lying　there　with　no　smile；　with　all　that　sunny　look　gone　out　for　ever！　　He　might　not　have　been　lying　there　at　all；　but　〃sanded〃　at　the　bottom　of　the　sea；　waiting　for　resurrection　on　the　ninth　day；　was　it？　And　that　smile　of　Halliday's　seemed　to　him　suddenly　something　wonderful；　as　if　in　it　were　all　the　difference　between　life　and　deaththe　little　flamethe　all！　　He　got　up；　and　said　softly：

〃Well；　you　ought　to　sleep；　I　expect。　　Shall　I　blow　out？〃

Halliday　caught　his　hand。

〃I　can't　say　it；　you　know；　but　it　must　be　rotten　to　be　dead。　　Good…　night；　old　boy！〃

Stirred　and　moved；　Ashurst　squeezed　the　hand；　and　went　downstairs。　The　hall　door　was　still　open；　and　he　passed　out　on　to　the　lawn　before　the　Crescent。　　The　stars　were　bright　in　a　very　dark　blue　sky；　and　by　their　light　some　lilacs　had　that　mysterious　colour　of　flowers　by　night　which　no　one　can　describe。　　Ashurst　pressed　his　face　against　a　spray；　and　before　his　closed　eyes　Megan　star