There has to be the thinking
beforehand. Well, of what are you thinking now?"
"Of the evening train to New York."
His face was turned away from her at the instant, because he did not wish
to see the effect of his words. He would have seen that apprehension came
to her eyes. Her mouth opened in quick amazement. It was all too
startling. He was going--for how long?
"Why are you going?" she asked, when she had recovered her poise.
"Well, you see I haven't quite learned my painting yet, and I must study
in great Art centres where one isn't turned down by one's own judgment."
"Ananias!" she said at last. "Ananias!"
"Why do you say I'm a liar?" he asked, flushing a little, though there
was intense inquiry in his eyes. "Because I think it. It isn't your work
only that's taking you away." Suddenly she laughed. "What a fool you are,
Carnac! You're not a good actor. You're not going away for work's sake
only."
"Not for work's sake only--that's true."
"Then why do you go?"
"I'm in a mess, Junia. I've made some mistakes in my life, and I'm going
to try and put one of them right."
"Is anybody trying to do you harm?" she asked gently.
"Yes, somebody's trying to hurt me."
"Hurt him," she rejoined sharply, and her eyes fastened his.
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