Jude the Obsure - Page 159/318

Jude threw a troubled look at her. He said, looking away: "It would

be just one of those cases in which my experiences go contrary to my

dogmas. Speaking as an order-loving man--which I hope I am, though

I fear I am not--I should say, yes. Speaking from experience and

unbiased nature, I should say, no.... Sue, I believe you are not

happy!"

"Of course I am!" she contradicted. "How can a woman be unhappy who

has only been married eight weeks to a man she chose freely?"

"'Chose freely!'"

"Why do you repeat it? ... But I have to go back by the six o'clock

train. You will be staying on here, I suppose?"

"For a few days to wind up Aunt's affairs. This house is gone now.

Shall I go to the train with you?"

A little laugh of objection came from Sue. "I think not. You may

come part of the way."

"But stop--you can't go to-night! That train won't take you to

Shaston. You must stay and go back to-morrow. Mrs. Edlin has plenty

of room, if you don't like to stay here?"

"Very well," she said dubiously. "I didn't tell him I would come for

certain."

Jude went to the widow's house adjoining, to let her know; and

returning in a few minutes sat down again.

"It is horrible how we are circumstanced, Sue--horrible!" he said

abruptly, with his eyes bent to the floor.

"No! Why?"

"I can't tell you all my part of the gloom. Your part is that you

ought not to have married him. I saw it before you had done it, but

I thought I mustn't interfere. I was wrong. I ought to have!"

"But what makes you assume all this, dear?"

"Because--I can see you through your feathers, my poor little bird!"

Her hand lay on the table, and Jude put his upon it. Sue drew hers

away.

"That's absurd, Sue," cried he, "after what we've been talking about!

I am more strict and formal than you, if it comes to that; and that

you should object to such an innocent action shows that you are

ridiculously inconsistent!"

"Perhaps it was too prudish," she said repentantly. "Only I have

fancied it was a sort of trick of ours--too frequent perhaps. There,

you may hold it as much as you like. Is that good of me?"

"Yes; very."

"But I must tell him."