He may
never wake up--"
"I do not think we shall need your services--. I will send you a check
for any amount you may name."
"But--"
"Whatever claim you may have upon him will be settled when he is in a
condition to settle anything; until then, my wife and I shall stay--"
Hilda went upstairs and packed her bag. So her house of dreams tumbled
about her. So she left behind her the tiara and the pearl collar with
the diamond slides, and the velvet cloak with the ermine collar. Poor
Hilda, with her head held high, going out of the shadowed house.
And taking Hilda's place, oh, more than taking her place, was Jean--and
this was her wedding day. The little rose-colored drawing room had
needed all of its rose to counteract the gray of the world outside,
with the snow and Daddy's car standing ready to take him to the station.
But always there had been the thought of Derry to uphold her, and the
wonder of their love. Nothing could rob her of that.
He had held her in his arms the night before, and had said, "Tomorrow
we shall be in Woodstock, and shall listen to the chimes--"
And now it was tomorrow, and they were here in this great grim house
with Death at the door.
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