To return there would be like thesick Naaman
bathing in the waters of Jordan. Nigel would never permit himself to be carried
bythe nurse up those stairs.
Im going to cutit, Frank said, but you must show
yourself. There for half an hour Adam kicked his heels. There followed a series of
interrogatories. Thisverse was about the soul and body being ploughed under by God.
He would lethimself fall into a waking trance, and spend happy hours recapturedfrom
childhood. Soon he knew every cranny as well as Peter Rosshimself.
She paid in the cheque and had once again an easy
mind.
Might not there be a more potent strength in
uttersurrender?
He realised that he had been a romanticfool, who
had sought a goddess and found a dancing-girl.
And now thishappy activity, this happier
companionship, was gone for ever. That dream opened a new stage in Adams
life.
Im going to cutit, Frank said, but you must show
yourself. I havent much capital left, and I want to spend it. He was a disgracedman
to whom all honourable careers were closed. She was neat-handed and tookpains with
the forgery, and when it was done she breathed freely.
Every scrap of knowledge which heacquired might
some day, under Gods hand, be of vital import.
I havent got many things to my credit,but one of
them is a hard body.
Im stuck at home in this damned department store.
And now the comfort was gone, and she foresaw endless worries. This is a queer
business, Melfort, he said.
If he was ever to return there, he hada heavy road
to travel first.
She lived for admiration andgaiety, blind to
anything but the surface of things.
Thealternative was that Camilla should be sitting
in this place ofbare walls and rude furniture.
I daresay you will, but not the best
way.
He took to prayer, which was a kind of
communingwith his own soul. He was a disgracedman to whom all honourable careers
were closed.
Adam was back in the delirious mood when youth is
firstconscious of its temporal heritage.
It was therewaiting for Nigel and
himself.
Miserably he understood that the peace for which he
had longed hadto be fought for.