Burke motioned to Sylvia to sit down, but she would not. She stood
by Guy's side, and at length as he grew calmer, laid a gentle hand
upon his arm.
"Come and sit down, Guy. Would you like some water?"
He shook his head. "No--no! Give me--that damned cigarette!"
"Don't you be a fool!" said Burke, but he said it kindly. "Sit
down and be quiet for a bit!"
He came up behind Guy, and took him by the shoulders. Sylvia saw
with surprise the young man yield without demur, and suffer himself
to be put into the chair where with an ashen face he lay for a
space as if afraid to move.
Burke drew her aside. "Don't be scared!" he said, "It's nothing
new. He'll come round directly."
Guy came round, sat slowly up, and reached a shaking hand towards
the table on which lay his scarcely lighted cigarette.
"Oh, don't!" Sylvia said quickly. "See, I have just brought out
some coffee. Won't you have some?"
Burke settled the matter by picking up the cigarette and tossing it
away.
Guy gave him a queer look from eyes that seemed to bum like red
coals, but he said nothing whatever. He took the coffee Sylvia
held out to him and drank it as if parched with thirst.
Then he turned to her. "Sorry to have made such an exhibition of
myself. It's all this infernal sand. Yes, I'll have some more,
please. It does me good.
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