"
"A splendid idea! All men to go about their affairs and women to
report and comment. Why, it would solve every problem of society!
There's the hope of the future, beyond a doubt! Why did I never
think of it!"
The next moment Piers was talking about nightingales, how he had
heard them sing in Little Russia, where their song is sweeter than
in any other part of Europe. And so the meal passed pleasantly, as
did the hour or two after it, until it was time for Otway to take
leave.
"You travel straight back to London?" asked Irene.
"Straight back," he answered, his eyes cast down.
"To-morrow," said Mrs. Hannaford, "we think of going to Stratford."
Piers had an impulse which made his hands tremble and his head
throb; in spite of himself he had all but asked whether, if he
stayed at Malvern overnight, he might accompany them on that
expedition. Reason prevailed, but only just in time, and the
conquest left him under a gloomy sense of self-pity, which was the
worst thing he had suffered all day. Not even Mrs. Hannaford's
whispered words on his arrival had been so hard to bear.
He sat in silence, wishing to rise, unable to do so. When at length
he stood up, Irene let her eyes fall upon him, and continued to
observe him, as if but half consciously whilst he shook hands with
Mrs. Hannaford. He turned to her, and his lips moved, but what he
had tried to say went unexpressed.
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