Page 464 - sons-and-lovers

a holiday. It was too exciting for them both, and too beau-
tiful. Mrs. Morel was full of joy and wonder. But he would
have her walk with him more than she was able. She had a
bad fainting bout. So grey her face was, so blue her mouth!
It was agony to him. He felt as if someone were pushing a
knife in his chest. Then she was better again, and he forgot.
But the anxiety remained inside him, like a wound that did
not close.
After leaving Miriam he went almost straight to Clara.
On the Monday following the day of the rupture he went
down to the work-room. She looked up at him and smiled.
They had grown very intimate unawares. She saw a new
brightness about him.
‘Well, Queen of Sheba!’ he said, laughing.
‘But why?’ she asked.
‘I think it suits you. You’ve got a new frock on.’
She flushed, asking:
‘And what of it?’
‘Suits you—awfully! I could design you a dress.’
‘How would it be?’
He stood in front of her, his eyes glittering as he ex-
pounded. He kept her eyes fixed with his. Then suddenly he
took hold of her. She half-started back. He drew the stuff of
her blouse tighter, smoothed it over her breast.
‘More SO!’ he explained.
But they were both of them flaming with blushes, and
immediately he ran away. He had touched her. His whole
body was quivering with the sensation.
There was already a sort of secret understanding between