Page 353 - sons-and-lovers

ing.’
He wheeled his bicycle into the barn. He had put on a
handsome tie, of which he was rather proud, and socks to
match.
‘She came this morning?’ he asked.
‘Yes,’ replied Miriam, as she walked at his side. ‘You said
you’d bring me that letter from the man at Liberty’s. Have
you remembered?’
‘Oh, dash, no!’ he said. ‘But nag at me till you get it.’
‘I don’t like to nag at you.’
‘Do it whether or not. And is she any more agreeable?’
he continued.
‘You know I always think she is quite agreeable.’
He was silent. Evidently his eagerness to be early to-day
had been the newcomer. Miriam already began to suffer.
They went together towards the house. He took the clips off
his trousers, but was too lazy to brush the dust from his
shoes, in spite of the socks and tie.
Clara sat in the cool parlour reading. He saw the nape
of her white neck, and the fine hair lifted from it. She rose,
looking at him indifferently. To shake hands she lifted her
arm straight, in a manner that seemed at once to keep him
at a distance, and yet to fling something to him. He no-
ticed how her breasts swelled inside her blouse, and how
her shoulder curved handsomely under the thin muslin at
the top of her arm.
‘You have chosen a fine day,’ he said.
‘It happens so,’ she said.
‘Yes,’ he said; ‘I am glad.’

Sons and Lovers