i f6c06dd9cf3fe221 by Unknown (100 books to read in a lifetime .txt) 📗

With the exception of Barrington, he took in the rest of the company in his glance: " Don't you think so? "

There were murmurs of assent.

"I think we'll leave the decision to our hostess," said Herbert Barrington, whose bulbous eyes were sending messages of sympathy and understanding to Stella.

Stella allowed a little expectant silence to pervade the table before graciously answering, "By all means. If we are all of the same mind, let us go."

"And you will read your poems when we return?" Her bert Barrington's long white hands hovered before her beseechingly.

Stella smiled at him: "If you wish."

The ladies got into their wraps, with the exception of Peggy who was wearing a plain grey coat. There were repeated warnings from Doctor Richards to wrap up well, for there was snow coming and he didn't want any of them on his books. Peter Davidson stood aside in the hall, looking on, the half smile playing on his face. He wondered about Rodney. Why this sudden burst of animal spirits? He didn't like it.

If only he'd come out, and talk about things. Something was worrying him; that was evident.

The party divided themselves into Rodney's and Doctor Richards's cars, and drove off amid laughter. Within fifteen minutes they were in Shields and had parked the cars in some stables off the market-place.

The big, open market was thronged with shoppers, a number of them, by the sound of the singing and laughter, three seas over; paraffin flares threw into relief the gesticulating chocolate 'kings', medicine-men and other 'auctioneers'. The party skirted the market and walked down King Street, and ran into a throng of people coming out of the theatre.

"Keep together," called Rodney; 'first house just coming out. "

Stella shuddered. He was acting as if he were drunk. But she knew he wasn't drunk; he was doing this just to annoy her . well!

Having piloted the company to a comparatively clear corner of the vestibule, Rodney said, "I'll see if I can get a box. Stay there 1' 6i They stood together, awaiting his return, Peter and Mrs. Richards keeping up a bantering flow of small talk. A little distance away a queue for the second house passed quickly in front of the ticket box as the last of the first- house audience were leaving the theatre.

Rodney was near the foot of the staircase talking to the manager--who was assuring him he was very lucky; there was one box left, and it would be a pleasure--when a childish voice shouting "Doctor!" made itself heard above the din.

Turning quickly, Stella saw the child who had caused her so much annoyance earlier in the day evade the detaining hand of a tall girl and dash towards Rodney.

"Oh, doctor," cried Annie, hurling herself against his legs, "I've seen the goose and all the great big eggs and the funny man and the beautiful ladies... I' " Why, Annie," said Rodney, 'you've been to the pantomime I' He took the hands held up to him: " Who brought you ?

Hallo, Kate! " he exclaimed, as Kate, accompanied by a stocky young man, pushed her way to his side.

"Good evening, doctor. I'm so sorry," she apologised. "You're a very naughty girl, Annie. Come along this minute!"

"Now don't scold her, Kate. Is it her first pantomime?"

"Yes; and she's been so excited we've hardly been able to keep her in her seat."

Rodney's hands were cupping Annie's upturned face, but he was looking at Kate. It must be three years since he last saw her. She was much taller. How fine she looked . stately; and what a figure! She had been a lovely girl. She was lovely now, but in a different way, for she had an air about her. Yes, that was it, she had a strange air about her. "How are you getting on, Kate?" he asked her.

"Oh, very well, doctor, thank you." Even her voice seemed different.

"Still at the Tolmaches'?"

"Oh yes 1' She hesitated and cast a swift, sidelong glance at the young man at her side.

The young' man looked at her with a possessive glint in his eye, and seemed to stretch himself to reach her height, as he spoke: "Not for much longer, though; you'll soon be leaving there.... We got engaged today, we'll soon be married," he said to Rodney.

Rodney looked from Kate to the young man with the aggressive voice, then back to Kate again.

"Congratulations, Katel I'm so glad." His hand went out and she hesitantly put hers into it. It was the second time her fingers had touched him, and he was conscious of the fact.

Her deep blue eyes, with that soft kindness in their depth, seemed to float mistily before him.

The young man stretched his neck and moved his chin from side to side, and Stella, standing amid her guests watching the scene, was livid with fury. Twice today Rodney had made a spectacle of himself with that child, and now, to stand there in a public place holding that girl's hand! It was just too much. She guessed who the girl was. "Doctor Prince has met some friends," Mrs. Richards remarked, to no one in particular; the expression on Stella's face had not escaped her, and she was beginning to enjoy herself.

"She was a patient of my husband's, and, as far as I can gather, is a maid in Westoe."

A signal look passed between Peggy Davidson and her husband: "And a patient of mine, too; for one night, at least," said Peter.

"You know, I always had my eye on Kate Hannigan; she's the best-looking girl in the county. And if it hadn't been for Peggy here getting her hooks into me ... well, you never know!"

Peggy smiled broadly; only she knew how much this great, lumbering man was hers.

Stella