"Very well. But I'll just say that I have packed only a change or
two of my own personal clothing, and one or two little things besides
that are my very own. I wish you would look into my trunk before it
is closed. Besides that I have only a small parcel that will go into
Jude's portmanteau."
"Of course I shall do no such thing as examine your luggage! I wish
you would take three-quarters of the household furniture. I don't
want to be bothered with it. I have a sort of affection for a little
of it that belonged to my poor mother and father. But the rest you
are welcome to whenever you like to send for it."
"That I shall never do."
"You go by the six-thirty train, don't you? It is now a quarter to
six."
"You... You don't seem very sorry I am going, Richard!"
"Oh no--perhaps not."
"I like you much for how you have behaved. It is a curious thing
that directly I have begun to regard you as not my husband, but as
my old teacher, I like you. I won't be so affected as to say I love
you, because you know I don't, except as a friend. But you do seem
that to me!"
Sue was for a few moments a little tearful at these reflections, and
then the station omnibus came round to take her up. Phillotson saw
her things put on the top, handed her in, and was obliged to make an
appearance of kissing her as he wished her good-bye, which she quite
understood and imitated. From the cheerful manner in which they
parted the omnibus-man had no other idea than that she was going for
a short visit.
When Phillotson got back into the house he went upstairs and opened
the window in the direction the omnibus had taken. Soon the noise of
its wheels died away. He came down then, his face compressed like
that of one bearing pain; he put on his hat and went out, following
by the same route for nearly a mile. Suddenly turning round he came
home.
He had no sooner entered than the voice of his friend Gillingham
greeted him from the front room.
"I could make nobody hear; so finding your door open I walked in, and
made myself comfortable. I said I would call, you remember."
"Yes. I am much obliged to you, Gillingham, particularly for coming
to-night."
"How is Mrs.--"
"She is quite well. She is gone--just gone. That's her tea-cup,
that she drank out of only an hour ago. And that's the plate
she--" Phillotson's throat got choked up, and he could not go on.
He turned and pushed the tea-things aside.