Page 355 - sons-and-lovers

He rubbed his head, rather perplexed, rather annoyed.
‘I suppose it matters more than her cleverness,’ he said;
‘which, after all, would never get her to heaven.’
‘It’s not heaven she wants to get—it’s her fair share on
earth,’ retorted Clara. She spoke as if he were responsible for
some deprivation which Miss Bonford suffered.
‘Well,’ he said, ‘I thought she was warm, and awfully
nice—only too frail. I wished she was sitting comfortably
in peace—-‘
‘Darning her husband’s stockings,’’ said Clara scathing-
ly.
‘I’m sure she wouldn’t mind darning even my stockings,’
he said. ‘And I’m sure she’d do them well. Just as I wouldn’t
mind blacking her boots if she wanted me to.’
But Clara refused to answer this sally of his. He talked to
Miriam for a little while. The other woman held aloof.
‘Well,’ he said, ‘I think I’ll go and see Edgar. Is he on the
land?’
‘I believe,’ said Miriam, ‘he’s gone for a load of coal. He
should be back directly.’
‘Then,’ he said, ‘I’ll go and meet him.’
Miriam dared not propose anything for the three of
them. He rose and left them.
On the top road, where the gorse was out, he saw Edgar
walking lazily beside the mare, who nodded her white-
starred forehead as she dragged the clanking load of coal.
The young farmer’s face lighted up as he saw his friend. Ed-
gar was good-looking, with dark, warm eyes. His clothes
were old and rather disreputable, and he walked with con-

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