It was storming outside, and there was asnowdrift
on her floor beneath the open window. Yetshe knew, too, that it would last a
lifetime. On the tenth morning of Sebastians absence Lucy awoke late becausethe room
was dark. It was from Sebastian, asking whether she could meet him for tea atthe
Auditorium at five oclock.
At about twelve shegot into the elevator and
dropped down into Chicago again. His watchsaid five oclock; he must have been on his
feet for nearly anhour.
But she felt sure that things were not like that
with themnow.
He happened to have no out-of-town engagement, so
he was inChicago, in his studio. Tramps, wet as thehorses, stood in the empty
doorways for shelter.
The telephone began to buzz, and she heard himbuild
up the rest of his day and his evening.
The pianisthas to make it go with her as well as
with Clement, if you meanthat.
We were the closest of friends, long ago. His
manner was a baffling mixture of timidity and cheek. She hadnt cashedit; it lay in
her top bureau drawer.
When they were seated in the cab he came to the
point at once.
Now, my dear, whatever did you mean by flying off
like that thismorning? The weather, which everyone grumbled about, had been exactly
theright weather for her. She lifted thebrass knocker, and Sebastian opened the
door.
This morning he did not seemyoung, but wiry and
rather hard. Oh, I can stop for you in twenty minutes or so. Perhaps you can comein
at five oclock and have tea with me? Perhaps you will dream that we are both twenty,
and are taking awalking trip in the French Alps. Clement has gone down to Allstons
studio for a moment.
The dark, stormy mornings made the warmthand quiet
toward which she hurried seem all the richer. On the tenth morning of Sebastians
absence Lucy awoke late becausethe room was dark. It was a farce, that she should
beplaying for Sebastian; just how had she ever got in for it? Giuseppe always
knocked like thatbefore he entered with his latch-key.
I dontcare to stand about down there on my bad leg.
He must have recalled those days, whenhe was ill up there.
Jimmy is a little genius with those, isnt he?
Shewished them both a pleasant journey, and would Mr. She fiercely resented his
having any opinions about her or herconnection with Sebastian.
The air of the room had freshened, and something
within himhad freshened.
Five years ago hecame to visit me in
France.
Lucy could not tell whether he meant to be
patronizing, orwhether he was merely ill at ease.
He always spoke of his wife in a very chivalrous
way, andadmiringly.
On thecontrary, there was a spirit which disdained
advantage.
I have a cab waiting outside,so I may as well take
you home, we can talk on the way. His eyes still had thatlivelier look she had
noticed in the morning.
In that moment while he seemed absent-minded Lucy
slipped into thehall and put on her coat and hat.