Sheshivered into herself as though she had been
stripped naked.
In a flurry she snatched up bag and gloves. No old
Lister with his sideboards, no rows of cars andtaxis.
Now, she could move, sit up with ease, turn her
head,look about her. It was all very jumbled and confused,I only got a word here and
there.
She lay and let deaths torpor steal over her, dimly
noting its progress.
Go back to your old life, and take it up where you
laid it downfor my sake.
Not in this way was happiness to be bought. MARY
CHRISTINAMary Christina was going to die. Accidents terrified her; the sight of
blood turned her sick.
But at least I meant to sell itagain after she
went, and put the money back.
The single one of whom nothing was expected or
asked was Gemma.
Before him, ascrupulous, womanly reserve dropped
like a rent veil.
And as he turned away: My dear,theyre not a patch
on Anns! You neednt mind being bare before me, little Katie.
To be perpetually aware of a presence, no matter
howmute, how humble, would hang him with chains.
Though we havent managed to get hold of her
husbandyet.
The charmingbungalow, the spacious garden. Her
business done, she entered a crowded conveyance. Sheshivered into herself as though
she had been stripped naked. Terror at the sight broke down her
lastdefences.
The tears were streaming now, splashing hot on
cheeks, hands, dress. Accidents terrified her; the sight of blood turned her sick.
Now, she could move, sit up with ease, turn her head,look about her. Anything more
appalling than the nearness of this scarletmonster .
What, if you were never out of doors again? She
would get scant mercy at their hands.
Though we havent managed to get hold of her
husbandyet.
But at least I meant to sell itagain after she
went, and put the money back.
It wasMargaret, I tell you, MARGARET, not me!