Page 41 - sons-and-lovers

warmth. She went down to the coal-house, where there was
an old hearthrug she had carried out for the rag-man the
day before. This she wrapped over her shoulders. It was
warm, if grimy. Then she walked up and down the garden
path, peeping every now and then under the blind, knock-
ing, and telling herself that in the end the very strain of his
position must wake him.
At last, after about an hour, she rapped long and low at
the window. Gradually the sound penetrated to him. When,
in despair, she had ceased to tap, she saw him stir, then lift
his face blindly. The labouring of his heart hurt him into
consciousness. She rapped imperatively at the window. He
started awake. Instantly she saw his fists set and his eyes
glare. He had not a grain of physical fear. If it had been
twenty burglars, he would have gone blindly for them. He
glared round, bewildered, but prepared to fight.
‘Open the door, Walter,’ she said coldly.
His hands relaxed. It dawned on him what he had done.
His head dropped, sullen and dogged. She saw him hur-
ry to the door, heard the bolt chock. He tried the latch. It
opened—and there stood the silver-grey night, fearful to
him, after the tawny light of the lamp. He hurried back.
When Mrs. Morel entered, she saw him almost running
through the door to the stairs. He had ripped his collar off
his neck in his haste to be gone ere she came in, and there it
lay with bursten button-holes. It made her angry.
She warmed and soothed herself. In her weariness for-
getting everything, she moved about at the little tasks that
remained to be done, set his breakfast, rinsed his pit-bottle,

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