DOI article:
Watson, H. B. Marriott: The dead wall
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.27805#0241
By H. B. Marriott Watson 237
Williams had seen him come in an hour ago ; he had retired to
his room. Should he go and inquire ?
“ No : we will give him a few minutes,” said she, seating
herself.
She held communion with her own surprises. She anticipated
his sensations ; if he had failed with Maclagan, she, at least, had
had better fortune, and for a moment Freddy and she were
wrapt in common fellowship, set upon a common course. But
as the time wore on, and he made no appearance, she grew
restless and fidgeted; a little annoyance mingled with her
good-humour ; the warmth of her success ebbed away. She
despatched Williams to bring the laggard down, and when he
had returned with the report that he could get no answer, she
picked up her skirts, and with lowering brows herself undertook
the mission.
Mrs. Rosewarne paused outside her husband’s room, and
knocked. There was no response, and turning the handle of the
door impatiently, she entered. The lamp burned low, and Freddy
lay upon the bed, sprawling in an attitude of graceless comfort.
The noise of his hard breathing sounded in the chamber, and the
odour of strong spirit filled the air. In an access of angry disgust
she shook him by the shoulders, and he lifted a stupid face to her,
his eyes shot with blood.
“ Is it you, Dolly r ” he asked thickly.
Her voice rose on a high note of anger.
“ Do you know that thejgong has gone this half-hour ? Bah !
You have been drinking, you beast ! ”
He sat up, staring at her vacantly, and slowly his eyes grew
quick with life and fury.
“ And what the devil is it to you if I have ? ” he said savagely.
“ Why, in hell’s name5j don’t you leave me alone ? What are
you
Williams had seen him come in an hour ago ; he had retired to
his room. Should he go and inquire ?
“ No : we will give him a few minutes,” said she, seating
herself.
She held communion with her own surprises. She anticipated
his sensations ; if he had failed with Maclagan, she, at least, had
had better fortune, and for a moment Freddy and she were
wrapt in common fellowship, set upon a common course. But
as the time wore on, and he made no appearance, she grew
restless and fidgeted; a little annoyance mingled with her
good-humour ; the warmth of her success ebbed away. She
despatched Williams to bring the laggard down, and when he
had returned with the report that he could get no answer, she
picked up her skirts, and with lowering brows herself undertook
the mission.
Mrs. Rosewarne paused outside her husband’s room, and
knocked. There was no response, and turning the handle of the
door impatiently, she entered. The lamp burned low, and Freddy
lay upon the bed, sprawling in an attitude of graceless comfort.
The noise of his hard breathing sounded in the chamber, and the
odour of strong spirit filled the air. In an access of angry disgust
she shook him by the shoulders, and he lifted a stupid face to her,
his eyes shot with blood.
“ Is it you, Dolly r ” he asked thickly.
Her voice rose on a high note of anger.
“ Do you know that thejgong has gone this half-hour ? Bah !
You have been drinking, you beast ! ”
He sat up, staring at her vacantly, and slowly his eyes grew
quick with life and fury.
“ And what the devil is it to you if I have ? ” he said savagely.
“ Why, in hell’s name5j don’t you leave me alone ? What are
you