In the fewest possible words the Wanderer told her all that had occurred
up to the moment of her coming, not omitting the detail of the locked
door.
“And for what reason do you suppose that Keyork shut you in?” she asked.
“I do not know,” the Wanderer answered. “I do not trust him, though I
have known him so long.”
“It was mere selfishness,” said Unorna scornfully. “I know him better
than you do. He was afraid you would disturb him again in the night.”
The Wanderer said nothing, wondering how any man could be so elaborately
thoughtful of his own comfort.
“There is no help for it,” Unorna said, “we must watch together.”
“I see no other way,” the Wanderer answered indifferently.
He placed a chair for her to sit in, within sight of the sick man, and
took one himself, wondering at the strange situation, and yet not caring
to ask Unorna what had brought her back, so breathless and so pale, at
such an hour. He believed, not unnaturally, that her motive had been
either anxiety for himself, or the irresistible longing to see him
again, coupled with a distrust of his promise to return when she should
send for him. It seemed best to accept her appearance without question,
lest an inquiry should lead to a fresh outburst, more unbearable now
than before, since there seemed to be no way of leaving the house
without exposing her to danger. A nervous man like Israel Kafka might
spring up at any moment and do something dangerous.
After they had taken their places the silence lasted some moments.
“You did not believe all I told you this evening?” said Unorna softly,
with an interrogation in her voice.
“No,” the Wanderer answered quietly, “I did not.”
“I am glad of that--I was mad when I spoke.”
CHAPTER XXIII
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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