Journalists -- Fiction; Man-woman relationships -- Fiction; Rich people -- Fiction; Social classes -- Fiction
Her lips narrowed ever so slightly and a faint suggestion of a gleam
came into her eyes. Then she shrugged her shoulders and laughed lightly.
"If trouble comes--I shall be ready."
"But you're not sure that it will come?"
"I'm not experienced in such things. Were you sure of trouble when you
delivered your sermon this morning?"
"Quite."
"Did it come?"
"It did."
Imrie smiled pleasantly enough but the bitterness of his tone was not
lost on Judith.
"Arnold--what do you mean--what trouble?"
"What would you expect? I have resigned."
"The devil!" cried Good.
Judith's amazement was not feigned. It struck Imrie that it would have
been more pleasant to him had she shown less astonishment at the course
he had taken. "But it isn't final?" she cried.
"As far as I am concerned, it is. It is not at all unlikely that the
vestry will find it final too." More than ever Imrie resented the
presence of Good. He wanted to explain to Judith the part she had played
in his resolution. That made him tell the story of his interview with
Judge Wolcott very perfunctorily, and dismiss the subject as quickly as
he could.
But Good was not easily put off, although Judith seemed to sense the
purpose in his reticence. "What will you do if you resign?" he asked
bluntly.
"Not 'if,'" said Imrie coldly, "I have already resigned."
Good ignored the snub. "What'll you do next?" he persisted.
"I have no idea," said Imrie, turning away. A moment later he rose to
leave.
Good eyed him quizzically as they shook hands, and smiled, half
wistfully, half amusedly. "You don't understand me, Mr. Imrie," he said
with characteristic candour; "you don't think I understand. I'm older
than you. I have been through things. Some day--perhaps--oh, well, we'll
wait for the day, won't we?"
Imrie was puzzled. He was vaguely grateful, too, though he could find no
words to express his gratitude. He stared perplexedly at Good, who had
picked up a magazine and appeared deeply engrossed. Then he shrugged his
shoulders helplessly and turned to go.
"Some time," he said to Judith, who had followed him to the door, "I
should like to see you and tell you all about it." He looked at her
longingly as he spoke. He seemed very tired, she thought.
"I understand," said Judith. He wondered if she really did.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account