Page 324 - tender-is-the-night

had to bring all the bitterness and hatred of the world into
his heart, he was not going to be in love with her again.
‘I don’t care about Nicotera!’ she declared. ‘But I’ve got
to go to Livorno with the company to-morrow. Oh, why did
this have to happen?’ There was a new flood of tears. ‘It’s
such a shame. Why did you come here? Why couldn’t we
just have the memory anyhow? I feel as if I’d quarrelled with
Mother.’
As he began to dress, she got up and went to the door.
‘I won’t go to the party to-night.’ It was her last effort. ‘I’ll
stay with you. I don’t want to go anyhow.’
The tide began to flow again, but he retreated from it.
‘I’ll be in my room,’ she said. ‘Good-by, Dick.’
‘Good-by.’
‘Oh, such a shame, such a shame. Oh, such a shame.
What’s it all about anyhow?’
‘I’ve wondered for a long time.’
‘But why bring it to me?’
‘I guess I’m the Black Death,’ he said slowly. ‘I don’t seem
to bring people happiness any more.’

324 Tender is the Night