Page:Restless Earth.djvu/25

“Love,” he had answered ironically. “What else would you expect a woman like that to talk about?”

The note of relief in Grace’s answering laugh had made him feel like a conspirator.

****

It was five weeks later when Patricia again visited the Harleys, and in the interval James Harley had found it increasingly difficult to suppress his repugnance for the caresses which his happy years with Grace had made habitual. There had been moments when he could not bear her lightest touch upon his sleeve; and the obvious effort with which she had maintained a cheerful attitude in the face of his increasing gruffness had exasperated and shamed him.

“What’s happened to the Weybourn woman?” he has asked at last. “I thought she said she was coming up two weeks ago last Wednesday?”

“Did she say she was coming then?” Grace had asked in surprise. “You never told me.”

“Didn’t I? I must have forgotten it. Wasn’t important, anyhow. I have other things to think about.”

“Have you finished that story for the Australian Journal?”

“No.”

“They’ll be wanting it, Jimmy.”

“Let ’em want. I’m not going to send them a story which doesn’t satisfy me; and this one is anything but satisfactory. I don’t seem to be able to get it right.”

“Can I help?”

“Oh, I’ll manage it in time. It’s only a question of waiting for the inspiration. By-the-way, I see you’re allowing Joan to play under my window again. Do something about that, will you?”

When Patricia arrived at the end of the five weeks Grace could not have failed to perceive the true state of affairs insofar as her husbhand was concerned. In Patricia’s company he had become again the James