Page 499 - women-in-love

the beams and rafters shadowy over-head, the benches and
implements shadowy down the studio.
‘You are cosy enough here,’ said Gerald, going up to
them.
There was a low brick fireplace, full of fire, an old blue
Turkish rug, the little oak table with the lamp and the white-
and-blue cloth and the dessert, and Gudrun making coffee
in an odd brass coffee-maker, and Winifred scalding a little
milk in a tiny saucepan.
‘Have you had coffee?’ said Gudrun.
‘I have, but I’ll have some more with you,’ he replied.
‘Then you must have it in a glass—there are only two
cups,’ said Winifred.
‘It is the same to me,’ he said, taking a chair and coming
into the charmed circle of the girls. How happy they were,
how cosy and glamorous it was with them, in a world of lofty
shadows! The outside world, in which he had been transact-
ing funeral business all the day was completely wiped out.
In an instant he snuffed glamour and magic.
They had all their things very dainty, two odd and lovely
little cups, scarlet and solid gilt, and a little black jug with
scarlet discs, and the curious coffee-machine, whose spirit-
flame flowed steadily, almost invisibly. There was the effect
of rather sinister richness, in which Gerald at once escaped
himself.
They all sat down, and Gudrun carefully poured out the
coffee.
‘Will you have milk?’ she asked calmly, yet nervously
poising the little black jug with its big red dots. She was al-

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