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

had asked himself at that moment, that he, a man of strong passions, as he knew himself to be, should be incapable of having but one woman in his life? First, and from boyhood, it had been Stella. He had married Stella when the torch of his passion was at its height, and she had quenched it swiftly and surely. He had been unable to do anything about it, for as long as he had loved Stella he had been incapable of taking from another woman what she had withheld. Now Stella was like the remains of a burn; the scar she had left would always be visible to him, but it didn't hurt any more. And Kate, this was something different, something higher than any feeling he had had for his wife, which, he knew now, had been all physical. But Kate had bound him as surely as ever Stella had, and he couldn't seek relief from her either. Nor did he want to, in spite of her ultimatum.

He had looked across the table at Stella, so beautifully calm and insolently sure of herself. Divorce had crossed his mind .

non-consummation of conjugal rights. Yes, he could get it on those grounds; but would he? No, he knew he would never do it. But she could divorce him. Would she, if he gave her cause? Not unless it would suit her purpose; and she would have to want it very much, for she was as vain as a peacock, and the very fact of his wanting another woman would make her fight. The whole position had seemed impossible.

An easing, at least, of the situation had pointed itself out after days of mental strife. True, there were feelings of patriotism in the gesture, but it was more as a means of escape that he had enlisted.

Rodney got out of the bath, and was to welling himself vigorously when Mary's voice, following a knock, came through the bathroom door:

"Doctor Swinbum's downstairs, sir; would you like to see him?"

"Why, yes 1' Rodney called back.

"Tell him to wait a second; I'll be right down."

Swinbum had been his lo cum at one time, then, under pressure of work, he had taken him on as assistant. Now he was in charge and, thought Rodney, thinking himself

no end of a fellow, I bet. He had found traits in Swin- burn's character which had become evident only through time, and which he did not like; a certain meanness and lack of sympathy and an eye to the main chance were among them. Getting into a dressing-gown he went downstairs and found him in the study.

Doctor Swinbum, a lean young man of middle height, with dark brown eyes and fair, crinkly hair, a sensual mouth, and a nose that could only be described as pinched, greeted Rodney effusively. They shook hands, and he offered Rodney a cigarette, and lit it for him.

"You're looking fit," he said; 'although seeing you without your beard is a bit of a shock. "

"It was a bit of a shock to me at first," laughed Rodney.

"I'm used to it now. Only it's this continual shaving that gets me down."

"You'll have to let it grow before you come back on the job, or the ladies won't like it," chuckled Swinburn.

Rodney frowned inwardly. That was the kind of chat that made him annoyed with Swinburn.

"How's everything?" he asked.

"Up to the eyes," said Swinburn.

"Half the calls are damned unnecessary ... such as Lady Cuthbert Harris. I had a time with her after you left; she wouldn't believe you had gone, wouldn't have me near her; she demanded to know where you were every time I saw her, and said that you must come as you were the only one who understood her. Still I persevered, as one call on her equals a day's work around the docks. But it is hard going. I spend my visits answering questions about you, and tell her you send enquiries about her by every letter...."

"You've no right to say that!" broke in Rodney, somewhat sharply.

"That woman's got enough ideas in her head already."

"Well, what can I say? We don't want to lose her."

"We certainly shall it it depends on me visiting her, for I've intended passing her on to you for some time. I never could stand the woman."

"What will you do when you get the socks? She's knitting some for you," laughed Swinburn.

"Good God!" exclaimed Rodney.

AS

"Still, it's people like her who keep the practice going," said Swinburn smugly.

"You know, your books are in a heck of a mess. Some of these doc kites haven't paid for as long as six years; I've been rounding them up."

"I don't want them rounded up," said Rodney stiffly.

"Some of them can't eat, let alone pay doctor's bills."

Fool! thought Swinburn. Can't eat, indeed! No, but they can drink.

Still, keep on the right side of him. "Well, just as you say," he said.

"But it's a devil of a lot of money you're out. I was only thinking tor your good."

"That's very kind of you, but don't press any of them."

Swinburn looked at him with ill-concealed resentment All right tor him, with his damned private in come; he can afford to talk big.

Wonder how much that Hannigan girl has to do with his kindness to the poor? he asked himself. There's never smoke without fire; damn funny rumours going around about her kid.

"You know about old Tolmache dying, I suppose?" he asked Rodney, scrutinising his face for any confirmation of the rumours his words might evoke.

"No," said Rodney.

"Which one? And when did it hap pen?" The very mention of the Tolmaches had brought a quickening of his pulse, but he showed nothing of it in his query, his tone implying professional interest only.

"A fortnight