Man and Maid

Sunday: I slept last night soundly for some strange reason, and woke quite late

on Sunday morning.

One frequently has some sense of depression or some sense of exhaltation

before one is quite conscious, and quite often cannot account for either

state. Presumably Alathea had left me full of contemptuous indifference,

but I awoke with a feeling of joy and satisfaction, which gradually

changed to flatness, when I became fully aware of things.

For indeed what reason had I for great rejoicing? None, except that the

menace of the Suzette bogie may be lifted.

I rang for Burton. It was nine o'clock.

"Has Her Ladyship breakfasted yet, Burton?"

"Her Ladyship breakfasted at eight, and left the house at half-past, Sir

Nicholas."

My heart sank. So I was going to have a lonely morning. She had said she

wanted to go to her mother, I remembered now. I did not hurry to get up.

The doctors were coming with the wonderful artist who is making my new

foot, at twelve o'clock, and I am to have it on to-day for the first

time. This would be a surprise for Alathea when she returned to lunch. I

read my journal in bed, and thought over the whole of our acquaintance.

Yes, certainly she has greatly changed in the last six weeks. And

possibly I am nearer my goal than I could have dared to hope.

Now my method must be to be sweet to her, and not tease her any more.

How wonderful it will be when she does love me. I have not thought much

about my own feelings lately. She has kept me so often irritated and

angry, but I know that there is a steady advance, and that I love her

more than ever.

To see her little mutinous rebellious face softening--?--it will be

worth all the waiting. But meanwhile she is out, and I had better get

up!

* * * * *

I wonder if all the hundreds of other fellows who lost a leg below the

knee and were cripples for eighteen months felt the same as I did when

the new limb was fixed, and they stood upon two feet again for the first

time.

A strange, almost mad sense of exaltation filled me. I could walk! I was

no longer a prisoner, dependent upon the devotion of attendants!

I should no longer have to have things placed within reach, and be made

to realize impotency!

It hurt and was awkward for a while.--But Oh! the joy, joy, joy!!

After the doctors and the specialist had gone with hearty

congratulations, my dear old faithful servant had tears in his eyes as

he dressed me.