Page 293 - sons-and-lovers

barn floor to see that the tyres were sound, and buttoned
his coat.
‘That’s all right!’ he said.
She was trying the brakes, that she knew were broken.
‘Did you have them mended?’ she asked.
‘No!’
‘But why didn’t you?’
‘The back one goes on a bit.’
‘But it’s not safe.’
‘I can use my toe.’
‘I wish you’d had them mended,’ she murmured.
‘Don’t worry—come to tea tomorrow, with Edgar.’
‘Shall we?’
‘Do—about four. I’ll come to meet you.’
‘Very well.’
She was pleased. They went across the dark yard to the
gate. Looking across, he saw through the uncurtained win-
dow of the kitchen the heads of Mr. and Mrs. Leivers in the
warm glow. It looked very cosy. The road, with pine trees,
was quite black in front.
‘Till tomorrow,’ he said, jumping on his bicycle.
‘You’ll take care, won’t you?’ she pleaded.
‘Yes.’
His voice already came out of the darkness. She stood
a moment watching the light from his lamp race into ob-
scurity along the ground. She turned very slowly indoors.
Orion was wheeling up over the wood, his dog twinkling
after him, half smothered. For the rest the world was full of
darkness, and silent, save for the breathing of cattle in their

Sons and Lovers