"I suppose, Jude, it is odd that you should see me like this and all
my things hanging there? Yet what nonsense! They are only a woman's
clothes--sexless cloth and linen... I wish I didn't feel so ill and
sick! Will you dry my clothes now? Please do, Jude, and I'll get a
lodging by and by. It is not late yet."
"No, you shan't, if you are ill. You must stay here. Dear, dear
Sue, what can I get for you?"
"I don't know! I can't help shivering. I wish I could get warm."
Jude put on her his great-coat in addition, and then ran out to the
nearest public-house, whence he returned with a little bottle in his
hand. "Here's six of best brandy," he said. "Now you drink it,
dear; all of it."
"I can't out of the bottle, can I?" Jude fetched the glass from the
dressing-table, and administered the spirit in some water. She
gasped a little, but gulped it down, and lay back in the armchair.
She then began to relate circumstantially her experiences since
they had parted; but in the middle of her story her voice faltered,
her head nodded, and she ceased. She was in a sound sleep. Jude,
dying of anxiety lest she should have caught a chill which might
permanently injure her, was glad to hear the regular breathing. He
softly went nearer to her, and observed that a warm flush now rosed
her hitherto blue cheeks, and felt that her hanging hand was no
longer cold. Then he stood with his back to the fire regarding her,
and saw in her almost a divinity.
IV
Jude's reverie was interrupted by the creak of footsteps ascending
the stairs.
He whisked Sue's clothing from the chair where it was drying, thrust
it under the bed, and sat down to his book. Somebody knocked and
opened the door immediately. It was the landlady.
"Oh, I didn't know whether you was in or not, Mr. Fawley. I
wanted to know if you would require supper. I see you've a young
gentleman--"
"Yes, ma'am. But I think I won't come down to-night. Will you bring
supper up on a tray, and I'll have a cup of tea as well."
It was Jude's custom to go downstairs to the kitchen, and eat his
meals with the family, to save trouble. His landlady brought up the
supper, however, on this occasion, and he took it from her at the
door.
When she had descended he set the teapot on the hob, and drew out
Sue's clothes anew; but they were far from dry. A thick woollen
gown, he found, held a deal of water. So he hung them up again, and
enlarged his fire and mused as the steam from the garments went up
the chimney.