（
都市重生之独宠千年妻）（
仙武同修）（
蒙山军）（
暖妻，总裁老公缱绻爱）（
花豹突击队）（
娇妻难养,老公太凶猛）by katherine mansfield
whetherhad fotten whatfelt like,his head had really grown bigger since the summer before, henry couldhis straw hat hurt him:pinched his forehead and starteull achethe two bones just overhe chosorner seata third class “smoker,” took off his hat and putin the rack with his large black cardboard portfolio and his aunt b’s christmas presen carriage smelt horriblywet india rubber and soot.
there were ten minutesspare before the train went,henry decidedgo and havookthe boo darted through the glass roofthe stationlong beamsblue and gold; a little boy ranand down carryinrayprimroses; there was something about the people about the women especially something idle andmost thrilling daythe year, the first real dayspring had unclosed its warm delicious beauty evenlondo had pupangleevery colour anew toneevery voice, and city folks walkedthough they carried real live bodies under their clothes with real live hearts pumping the stiff blood through.
henry wareat fellowdid not read many nor didpossess above half lookedallthe charing cross road during lunch time andany odd timelondon; the quantity with whichwasnodding termshis clean neat handlingthem andhis nice choicephrase when discussing them with oneanother bookseller you would have thought thathad taken his pap witome propped before his nurse' you would have been quit was only henry's way with everythingtouchefternoonwasanthologyenglish poetry, andturned over the pages untiitle struck his eye something childish but very natural!
haut two little wings,
and werittle feathery bird,
to you i’d fly,dear,
but thoughts like these are idle things,
antay here.
butmy sleepyoly,
i’m always with youmy sleep,
the worldall one’s own,
but then one wakes and wherei?
all, all alone.
sleep stays not thougonarch bids,
sovewakebreakday,
for thoughsleepgone,
yet while ’tis dark one shuts one’s lids,
and so, dreams on.
he could not have done with the littl was not the wordsmuchthe whole airit that charme might have writtenlyingbed, very earlythe morning, and watching the sun dancethe ceiling.“itstilly like that,” thought henry.“isurewrotewhenwas half awake some time, for it's gomilea dreamit.”he staredthe poem and then looked away and repeatedby heart, misseordthe third verse and looked again, and again untilbecame consciousshouting and shuffling, andlookedto see the train moving slowly.
“god’s thunder!”henry dashe witlag anhistle had his hand clutched henry somehow...henry was inside with the door slammed,a carriage that wasn't a “smoker,” that had noracehis straw hatthe black portfoliohis aunt b's christmas presen,the opposite corner, close against the wall, there sat did not darelookher, butfelt certain she was staringhim.“she must think i'm mad,”thought, “dashing intrain without eveat, andthe evening, too.he felidn't know howsiut his handshis pockets and triedappear quite indifferent and frowna large photographbolto feeling her eyeshimgave her just the tiniest glance.
quick she looked away outthe window, and then henry, carefulher slightest movement, wenat pressed against the window, her cheek and shoulder half hiddena long wavemarigold coloure little handa grey cotton glove heleather caseher lap with the initials e. m.it.the other hand she had slipped through the window strap, and henry noticeilver banglethe wrist witwiss cow bell anilver shoe and worreen coat anat witreath round it.all this henry saw while the titlethe new poem persistedhis brain something childish but very natural.“i suppose she goessome schoollondon,”thought henry.“she mightin a, no, sheto she’d have her hairifisn’t even down her back.”he could not keep his eyes off that beautiful waving hair.
“‘my eyes are like two drunkenbees...’now, i wonderi read thatmadeup?
that moment the girlturned round and, catching his glance,bent her headhide the red colour that flewher cheeks, and henry, terribly embarrassed, blushed too.“i shall havespeak havehave to!”he started puttinghis handraise the hat that wasn’ thought that funny;gave him confidence.
“i’m i’m most awfully sorry,”said, smilingthe girl’s hat.“buan'ton sittingthe same carriage with you and not explaining whashedlike that, withoutha'm surave yoright, and just noas staringyou but that's onlyawful faultmine; i'errible starer!if you’d liketo explain hoothere not about the staring,course,”gavittle laughwill.”
foinute she said nothing, thena low, shy voice “it doesn’t matter.”
the train had flung behind the roofswere swinging into the country, past little black woods and fading fields and poolswater shining underapricot evenin's heart beganthump and beatthe beatth couldn't leavelik satquiet, hiddenher falle felt thatwas absolutely necessary that she should lookand understand him understand hieant forward and clasped his hands round his knees
“you see i'd just put allthingortfolio inthird class ‘smoker’ and was havinookthe bookstall,”explained.
astold the story she raisedsaw her grey eyes under the shadowher hat and her eyebrows like two gol lips were faintl unconsciouslyseemedabsorb the fact that she was wearinunchprimroses and that her throat was white the shapeher face wonderfully delicate against all that burning hair.
“how beautiful she is?how simply beautiful she is!”sang henry's heart, and swelled with the words, bigger and bigger and trembling likarvellous bubblethatwas afraidbreathe for fearbreaking it.
“i hope there was nothing valuablethe portfolio,” said she, very grave.
“oh, only some silly drawings thaas taking back from the office,” answered henry, airily.“anas rather gladlosad been hurtingall day.”
“yes,” she said, “it’s lefark,” and she nearly smiled.
whyearth shouldthose words have made henry feelfree suddenly andhappy andmadl was happening between them?they said nothing, buthenry their silence was alivecovered him from his headhis feeta tremblin marvellous words, “it's madark,” hadsome mysterious fashion establisheond betwee could notutter strangerseach othershe spokesimply anow she was reall smile dancedher eyes, crept over her cheeksher lips and staye lean words flewfrom him. “isn’t life wonderful!”
at that moment the train dashed into heard her voice raised againstleant forward.
“i don’t think so.but then i’ve beeatalist foong time now” a pause months.
they were shattering through the dark.“why?” called henry.
“oh...”
then she shrugged, and smiled and shook her head, meaning she could not speak againstnodded and lean came outthe tunnel intprinklelightswaited for hehe gotand buttoned her coat and put her handsher hat, swayinittle.“i get out here,”seemed quiteimpossiblehenry.
the train slowed down and the lights outside gre moved towards his endthe carriage.
“look here!”stammered.“shan’ee you again?”he got up, too, and leant against the rack with one hand.“i must see you again.”the train wasstopping.
she said breathlessly,e down from london every evening.”
“you you youreally?”his eagerness frightene was quickcurb it.shallor shallnot shake hands raced throughhand wasthe door handle, the other held the littl trai another wordglance she was gone.
then came saturdaalf daythe office and sunda monday evening henry was quit wasthe station far too early, witacksilly thoughtshis heelsit were driving himand down.“she didn’t say she camethis train!”“and supposing iup and she cuts me.”“there maysomebody with her.”“whyyou suppose she’s ever thoughtyou again?”“what are you goingsayyousee her?”he even prayed, “lorditthy will, letmeet.”
but nothin smoke floated against the roofthe station dissolved and came againswayiudden,he watched it,delicate andsilent, moving with such mysterious grace above the crowd and the scuffle,gre felt very tiredonly wantedsit down and shut his eyes she was not inorlorn relief breathedth thensaw her quite nearhim walking towards the train with the same little leather casehe knew,somehow, that she had seen him, butdid not move until she came closehim and saidher low, shy voice “did you get themagain?”
“oh, yes, thank you, i got them again,” and witunny half gestureshowed her the portfolio andwalked sidesidethe train and intoempt sat down oppositeeach other, smiling timidly but not speaking, while the train moved slowly, and slowly gathered speedspoke first.
“it’ssilly,”said, “not knowing your name.”she put bacig piecehair that had fallenher shoulder, andsaw how her handthe grey glovehe noticed that she was sitting very stiffly with her knees pressed together andwas,too boththem trying nottremble so.she said “my nameedna.”
“and minehenry.”
in the pause they took possessioneach other's names and turned them over and put them away, a shade less frightened after that.
“i wantask you something else now,” sai lookededna, his heaittleone side.“how old are you?”
“over sixteen,” she said, “and you?”
“i’m nearly eighteen...”
“isn’t ithot?”she said suddenly, and pulled off her grey gloves and put her handsher cheeks and kept the eyes were not frightened they lookedeach other witortdesperat only their bodies would not tremblestupidly!still half hiddenher hair, edna said:
“have you ever beenlove before?”
“no, never!have you?”
“oh, neveralllife.”she shook her head.“i never even thoughtpossible.”
his next words camea rush.“whatever have you been doing since last frida did youall saturday and all sunday and today?”
but she did not answer only shook her head and smiled and said, “no, you tell me.
“i?” cried henry and thenfoundcouldn't tellcouldn't climb backthose mountainsdays, andhadshake his head, too.
“but it’s been agony,”said, smiling brilliantly “agony.”at that she took away her hands and started laughing, and henry joine laughed untilthey were tired.
“it’sso extraordinary,” she said.“so suddenly, you know, aneelif i’d known you for years.”
“soi...” said henry.“i believemustth i've swalloweutterfly and it's fanning its wings just here.”he put his handhis heart.
“and the really extraordinary thing is,” said edna, “thaad mademy mind thaidn't care for mell the girlscollege ”
“were youcollege?”
she nodded.“a training college, learningbecretary.”she sounded scornful.
“i’man office,” said henry.“an architect's office sucunny little placeone hundred and thirt oughtbe building nests insteadhouses, i always think.
“do you like it?”
“no,courson’t.i don’t want todo anything,you?”
“no, i hate it...and,” she said, “my mothera hungariaelieve that makeshateeven more.
that seemedhenry quite natural.“it would,”said.
“mother and iare exactl'hingmon withfather; he's just...a little manthe city but mother has got wild bloodher and she's givento me.she hates our life justmuchi do.”she paused and frowned.“all the same,don’t geta bit together that’s funny isn’t it?but i’m absolutely alonehome.”
henry was listeninga waywas listening, but there was something elsewantedas said, very shyly, “would you would you take off your hat?”
she looked startled.“take offhat?”
“yes it’s you’d give anythingsee your hair properly.”
she protested.“it isn’treally...”
“oh,is,” cried henry, and then,she took off the hat and gave her heaittle toss, “oh, edna! it's the loveliest thingthe world.”
“do you like it?” she said, smiling and ver pulledround her shoulders likapegold.“people generallysuchabsurd colour.”but henry would not believ leaned her elbowsher knees and cupped her chinher hands.“that’s hoften sit when i’m angry and theeelburningup...silly?”
“no, no, noit,” said henry.“i knew yo's your sortweapon against all the dull horrid things.”
“however did you know that?yes, that’s just it.but howeverdid you know?”
“just knew,” smiled henry.“my god!”cried, “what fools people are!all the little pollies that you know and that lookyou and me.hereare that's all theretbout you and you know aboutwe've just found each other quite simply justbein’s all lifesomething childish and ver’t it?”
“yes yes,” she said eagerly.“that’s what i’ve always thought.”
“it's people that make thingongyou can keep away from them you're safe and you're happy.”“oh, i’ve thought that foong time.”
“then you're just like me,” sai wonderthat wasgreat thatalmost wanted tsaid very solemnly:believe we're the only two people alive who thinkwe do. fact, i'm understands me.i feelthougere livinga worldstrange beingsyou?”
“always.”
“we’llin that loathsome tunnel againa minute,” said henry.“edna! caust touch your hair?”
she drew back quickly.“oh, no, please don't,” andthey were going into the dark she moveittle away from him.
“edna i've boughtmanthe concert hall didn't seemall surprised thaadme outside the gallery doorsthree, and wear that cream blouse and the corals will you?i lov't like sending these lettersth feel those people with ‘letters received’their window keeettletheir back parlour that would steam openelephant's earareally doesn't matter, does it, darling?can you get awaysunday?pretend you are goingspend the day with onethe girls from the office, and let's meetsome little place and walkfinield wherecan watch the daisie love you, sundays without you are simpl’t get run over before saturday, and don’t eat anything outa tindrink anything froubli’s all, darling.”
“my dearest, yes, i'lltheresaturday and i've arranged about sunday, too.thatone grea'm quite freust efrom th's sucovel, henry, i could sit and cry, i love yout isn'ti either feelhappan hardly stop laughingelsesaan hardly stop crying and both for the samareyounghave found each other, aren't we?isending you quit you were here now, just foinut night, edna.”
“safe,” said edna, “safe!and excellent places, aren’t they, henry?”
she stoodto take off her coat and henry madovementhelp her.“noit’s off.”she tuckedundersat down beside him.“oh, henry,what have you got there?flowers?”
“only two tiny little roses.”he laid themher lap.
“did you getletter all right?” asked edna, unpinning the paper.
“yes,”said, “and the violetgrowin shouldlittle pieceitevery corner and onemy pillow and onethe pocketmy pyjama jacket.”
she shook herhairhim.“henry, givethe programme.”
“hereis you can readwith me.i’ll holdfor you.”
“no, lethave it.”
“well, then, i’ll readfor you.”
“no, you can haveafter.”
“edna,”whispered.
“oh, please don’t,” she pleaded.“not here the people.”
why didwanttouch hermuch and why did she mind?wheneverwas with herwantedhold her handtake her arm when they walked together,lean against her not hard just lean lightlythat his shoulder should touch her shoulder and she wouldn't even hav the time thatwas away from herwas hungry,craved the nearneseemedbe fort and warmth breathing from edna thatneededkeep hi, that was it.he couldn't get calm with her because she wouldn't let him touc she love kne did she feelcuriously about it?every timetriedor even asked for her hand she shrank back and lookedhim with pleading frightened eyesthoughwantedhur could say anythingeac there wasn’t any questiontheir belongingeac yetcouldn’t touc,couldn’t even help her off withvoice dropped into his thoughts.
“henry!”he leanedlisten, setting his lips.“i wantexplain somethin wilromise after the concert.”
“all right.”he was still hurt.
“you’re not sad, are you?”said.
he shook his head.
“yes, you are, henry.”
“no, really not.”he lookedthe roses lyingher hands.
“well, are you happy?”
“yes.herethe orchestra.”
it was twilight when they came outth light hung over the streets and houses, and pink clouds floateda pal they walked away from the hall henry felt they were very littlethe first time sincehad known edna his heart was heavy.
“henry!”she stopped suddenly and staredhim.“henry, i'm not ingthe station wit't don't wait for me.please,please leave me.”
“my god!” cried henry, and started, “what's the matter edna darling edna, what havone?”
“oh, nothingaway,” and she turned and ran across the street intquare and leanedagainst the square railings and hid her faceher hands.
“edna ednalittle love you’r,baby girl!”
she leaned her arms along the railings and sobbed distractedly.
“edna stop it's all m'ool i'hunderin've spoiled you've tortured you withidiotic mad blood's it.isn't it, edna?for god’s sake.”
“oh,” she sobbed,do hate hurting you so.every time you askto let let you holdhandor kissi could kill myself for not doingfor not lettin't know whon't even.”she said wildly.“it's not that i'm frightenedyou it's not that it's onleeling, henry, thaan't understand myselyour handkerchief, darling.”he pulledfrom his pocket.“all through the concert i've been hauntedthis, and every timemeenow it's bounde up.somehoeeloncedid that you know held each other’s hands and kissedwouldall changed aneelwouldn’tfree likeare we’ddoing something secret.
we wouldn’tchildren any more…silly, isn’t it?i'd feel awkward with you, henry, and i'd feel shy, and iso feel that just because you anre you and i,don't need that sortthing.”she turned and lookedhim, pressing her handsher cheeksthe wayknewwell, and behind herireamsaw the sky and halhite moon and the treesthe square wwith their unbroke kept twisting, twistingin his hands the concert programme.“henry!youunderstanddon’t you?”
“yes, i thino.but you’re not goingbe frightened any more, are you?”he triedsmile.“we'll fet, 'll never mention i'll burythe bogythis square now you anon’t we?”
“but,” she said, searching his face “willmake you loveless?”
“oh, no,”said.“nothing could nothingearth couldthat.”
london became thei saturday afternoons the found their own shops where they bought cigarettes and sweets for edna and their own tea shop with their own table their own streets and one night when edna was supposedbea lecturethe polytechnic they found theirwas the name that made themthere.“there’s white geesethat name,” said henry, tellingto edna.“aniver and little low houses with old men sitting outside them old sea captains with wooden legs windingtheir watches, and there are little shops with lampsthe windows.”
it was too late for themsee the geesethe old men, but the river was there and the houses and even the shops wit onoman sat workinewing machineth heard the whirring hum and they saw her big shadow filling the shop.“too full foingle customer,” said henry.“ita perfect place.”
the houses were small and covered with creepersof them had worn wooden steps leadingtohadgo dowittle flightstepsenter somethe others; and just across the roadbe seen from every window was the river, witalk besideand some high poplar trees.
“thisthe place forto live in,” said henry.“there'ouselet, too.i wonderit would waitwe asked it.i’m sureit would.”
“yes, i would likelive there,” said edna.
they crossed the road and she leaned against the trunka tree and lookedat the empty house, witreamy smile.
“therea little gardenthe back, dear,” said henry,lawn with oreeit and some daisy bushes roundnight the stars shinethe tree like tin inside there are two rooms downstairs anig room with folding doors upstairs and above thahere are eight stairsthe kitchen very dark, are rather frightenedthem, you know.‘henry, dear, would you mind bringing the lamp?i just wantmake sure that euphemia has raked out the fire beforegobed.’”
“yes,” said edna.“our bedroomat the very top that room with the two squaris quietcan hear the river flowing and the soundthe poplar trees far, far away, rustling and flowingour dreams, darling.”
“you’re not cold are you?”said, suddenly.
“no no, only happy.”
“the room with thefolding doorsyours.”henry laughed.“it'ixtureisn'oom a's fullyour toys and there'ig blue chairit where you sit curledin frontthe fire with the flamesyour curls because though we're married you refuseput your hairand only tuckinside your coat for the churc there'ugthe floor forto lie on, because i'hat's our servant only esth she's gonego downthe kitchen and sitthe table and eatapple,perhapsmake some tea, just for the sakehearing the kettl’syou listena kettle right through it’s likeearly morningspring.”
“yes, i know,”she said.“all the different kindsbirds.”
a little cat came through the railingsthe empty house and intocalledand bent down and held out her hands “kitty! kitty!the little cat ranto her and rubbed against her knees.
“if we're going foalk just take the cat and putinside the front door,” said henry, still pretending.“i’ve got thekey.”
they walked across the road and edna stood stroking the cather arms while henry wentthe steps and pretendedopen the door.
he came down again quickly.“let’saway a’s goingturn intream.”
the night was darkdid not wantgo home.“whaeelcertainis,” said henry, “thatoughtbe living there, now.we oughtn'twait fo's age?you'reoldyou'll everandam i.you know,”said,haveeling often and often that it's dangerouswait for things thatyou wait for things they onlyfurther and further away.”
“but, henry, money!you seehaven’t any money.”
“oh, well, perhapsi disguised myselfan old mancould geobcaretakerssome large house that wouldrathe'd makea terrific historythe houseanyone camelook overand you could dressandthe ghost moaning and wringing your handsthe deserted picture gallery,frighten the't you ever feel that moneymoreless accidental thatone really wants things it’s either thereit doesn’t matter?”
she did not answer that she lookedat the sky and said, “oh dear, i don’t wantgo home.”
“exactly that's the whole trouble andoughtn'tg oughtbe going backthe house and findodd saucergive the cat the dregsthe milk jug in.i'm not really laughing i'm not eve'm lonely for you, ednould give anythinglie down and cry” andadded limply, “withheadyour lap and your darling cheekmy hair.”
“but, henry,” she said, ing closer, “you have faith, haven’t you?i mean you are absolutely certain thatshall havouse like that and everythingwant aren’t you?”
“not enough that'stosittingthose very stairs and taking off these very boots this ver't you?is faith enough for you?”
“if onlyweren’tyoung” she said miserably.“and yet,” she sighed, “i’m suron’t feel very youneel twentyleast.”
henry layhis backthe littlmoved the dead leaves rustled beneath him, and above his head the new leaves quivered like fountainsgreen water steepeutsight edna was gatherin had beenfulldreams that morning thatcould not keep pace with her delightthe flowers.“yes, love, youand e back for me.i’m too lazy.”she had thrown off her hat and knelt down beside him, andandher voice and her footsteps had grown fainter.
now the wood was silent except for the leaves, butknew that she was not far away andmovedthat the tipshis fingers touched her pin since wakinghad feltstrangely thatwas not really awakeall, but jus time before, edna waream and nowand she were dreaming together and somewheresome dark place another dream waited for him.“no, that can’ttrue becausan’t ever imagihe world without us.i feel thattwo together mean something that’s gotbe there justnaturallytreesbirdsclouds.”
he triedremember whathad felt like without edna, butcould not get backthos were hiddenher; edna, with the marigold hair and strange, dreamy smile filled himtobreathed her;ate and dran walked about withining ringedna keeping the world awaytouching whateverlightedwith its own beauty.“long after you have stopped laughing,”told her,can hear your laugh runningand downveins and yet area dream?”
and suddenlysaw himself and ednatwo very small children walking through the streets, looking through windows, buying things and playing with them, talkingeach other, smilingsaw even their gestures and the way they stood,often, quite still, faceface and thenrolled over and pressed his facethe leaves faint wit wantedkiss edna, andput his arms round her and press herhim and feel her cheek hot against his kiss and kiss her until he’dbreath left andstifle the dream.
“no, i can'ton being hungry like this,” said henry, and jumpedand beganrunthe direction shehad wandereona green hollowsaw her kneeling, and when she saw him she waved and said “oh, henry such beauties!i’ve never seen suc and look.”
by the timehad reached herwould have cut off his hand rather than spoilstrange edna was that day!all the time she talkedhenry her eyes laughed; they were sweetlittle spotscolour like strawberries glowedher cheeks andwisould feel tired,” she kept saying.“i wantwalk over the whole world until faster henry!itart flying suddenly, you’ll promisecatch holdmy feet, won’t you otherwise i’ll never e down.”and “oh,” she cried,am s’mfrightfully happy!”they camea weird place, covered wit was early afternoon and the sun streamed down upon the purple.
“let’s rest herittle,” said edna, and she waded into the heather and lay down.
“oh, henry, it’s s’t see anythingexcept the little bells and the sky.”
henry knelt downherand took some primroses outher basket and madong chaingo round her throat.“i could almost fall asleep,” sai crept overhis knees and lay hiddenher hair just beside him.
“it’s like being under the sea, isn’t it, dearest,sweet andstill?”
“yes,” said henry,a strange husky voice.
“now i’ll make you oneviolets.”but edna sat up.“let’sin,” she said.
they came back tothe road and walkeon said, “no, i couldn't walk over the world i'm tired now.”she trailedthe grass edgethe road.“you anre tired, henry!how much furtherit?”
“i don't know notvery far,” said henry, peering intothey walked insilence.
“oh,” she saidlast, “it reallytoo far, henry, i'm tired and i'silly basketprimroses.”he took them without lookingher.
at last they camea village anottage witotice “teas provided.”
“thisthe place,” said henry.“i've often bee sitthe little bench and i'lland order the tea.”she sat downthe bench,the pretty garden all white and yellow with sprin camethe door and leaned againstwatching the was very niceher, but edna did not saord.“you haven’t been here foong spell,” said the wman.
“no the garden’s looking wonderful.”
“fair,” said she.“is the young lady your sister?”henry nodded yes, and took some jam.
“there'ikeness,” saidcame down into the garden and pickeeadwhite jonquils and handedto edna.“i suppose you don’t happenknow anyone who wantottage,” said she.“my sister’s taken ill and she lefolet it.”
“foong time?” asked henry, politely.
“oh,” said the woman vaguely, “that depends.”
said henry, “welight knowsomebody couldgo and lookit?”
“yes, it's justep down the road, the little one with the apple treesfront i'll fetch you the key.”
while she was away henry turnededna and said, “will you e?”she nodded.
they walked down the road andthrough the gate andthe grassy path between the pink and whit wainy place two rooms downstairs and two room leaned outthe top window, and henry stoodthe doorway.“do you like it?”asked.
“yes,” she called, and then madlace for himthe window.“e an’sso sweet.”
he came and leant outth them were the apple trees tossinga faint wind that bleong pieceedna's hair acrossdidwas evening the pale green sky was sprinkled with stars.“look!” she said “stars, henry.”
“there willa moontwo t’s,” said henry.
shedid not seemmove and yet she was leaning against henry's shoulder;put his arm round her “are all those trees down there apple?” she askeda shaky voice.
“no, darling,” said henry.“somethem are fullangels and somethem are fullsugar almonds but evening lightawfull sighed.“henrymustn’t stay here any longer.”
he let herand she stoodin the dusky room and touched her hair.“what has been the matter with you all day?”she said and then did not wait foranswer but ranhim and put her arms round his neck, and pressed his head into the hollowher shoulder.“oh,” she breathed,do lov me, henry.”he put his arms round her,and she leaned against him and looked into his eyes.
“hasn’tbeen terrible, all today?” said edna.“i knew what was the matter and i've tried every waouldtell you thaanted youkissthat i’d quite got over the feeling.”
“you’re perfect, perfect, perfect,” said henry.
“the thing is,” said henry, “howi goingwait until evening?”he took his watch outhis pocket, went into the cottage and poppedinthina jarth'd lookedit seven timesone hour, and nowcouldn't remember what time i, he'd look onc pas train arrived a’d havestart for the stationhalf pas hours morewait.
he went through the cottage again downstairs and upstairs.“it looks lovely,” h went into the garden and pickeound bunchwhite pinks and put thema vasethe little tableedna's bed.“i don’t believe this,” thought henry.“i don't believe this forto'llheretwo hours and we'll walk home, and then i'll take that white jug off the kitchen table andacross t's and get the milk, and then e back, and wheome back she'll have lighted the lampthe kitchen and i’ll look through the window and see her moving aboutthe poohenshall have supper, and after supper (bagashing up!)
i shall put some woodthe fire and we'll sitthe hearth rug and watcon'ta sound except the wood and perhaps the wind will creep round the house once… and thenshall change our candles and she willup first with her shadowthe wall beside her, and she will call out, good night, henry anhall answer good night, thehall dash upstairs and jump into bed and watch the tiny barlight from her room brushdoor, and the momentdisappears will shuteyes and sleep unti we’ll have all tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorro she thinking all this, too?edna, e quickly!”
hawo little wings,
and werittle feathery bird,
to you i’d fly,dear
“no, no, dearest…because the waitinga sortheaven, too, you can understan you ever knoottage could standti onedoingnow.”
he was downstairs and satthe doorstep with his hands clasped roundnight when they found the village and edna said, “haven't you faith, henry?”“i hadn’ i have,”said,feel just like god.”
he leaned his head againstcould hardly keep his eyes open, not thatwas sleepy, but for some reason anong time passed.
henry thoughtsaig white moth flying downperchedth,wasn't waittle girice little girl, andsmiledhis sleep, and she smiled, too, and turnedher toesshe walked.“but she can’tliving here,” thought henry.“because thihe es.”
when she was quite closehim she took her hand from under her pinafore and gave hielegram and smiled and wen'unny present! thought henry, staringit.“perhaps it's onlake believe one, and it's got onethose snakes insidethat flyat you.”he laughed gentlythe dream and openedvery carefully.“it’s jusolded paper.”he tookout and spreadopen.
the garden became fullshadows they spaebdarkness over the cottage and the trees and henry andhenry did not move.
m.pi.co
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