Jude the Obsure - Page 308/318

"No--no--don't go, Mrs. Edlin," she implored, her eyes enlarged, and

with a quick nervous look over her shoulder.

"But it is bedtime, child."

"Yes, but--there's the little spare room--my room that was. It is

quite ready. Please stay, Mrs. Edlin!--I shall want you in the

morning."

"Oh well--I don't mind, if you wish. Nothing will happen to my four

old walls, whether I be there or no."

She then fastened up the doors, and they ascended the stairs

together.

"Wait here, Mrs. Edlin," said Sue. "I'll go into my old room a

moment by myself."

Leaving the widow on the landing Sue turned to the chamber which had

been hers exclusively since her arrival at Marygreen, and pushing to

the door knelt down by the bed for a minute or two. She then arose,

and taking her night-gown from the pillow undressed and came out to

Mrs. Edlin. A man could be heard snoring in the room opposite. She

wished Mrs. Edlin good-night, and the widow entered the room that Sue

had just vacated.

Sue unlatched the other chamber door, and, as if seized with

faintness, sank down outside it. Getting up again she half opened

the door, and said "Richard." As the word came out of her mouth she

visibly shuddered.

The snoring had quite ceased for some time, but he did not reply.

Sue seemed relieved, and hurried back to Mrs. Edlin's chamber. "Are

you in bed, Mrs. Edlin?" she asked.

"No, dear," said the widow, opening the door. "I be old and slow,

and it takes me a long while to un-ray. I han't unlaced my jumps

yet."

"I--don't hear him! And perhaps--perhaps--"

"What, child?"

"Perhaps he's dead!" she gasped. "And then--I should be FREE, and I

could go to Jude! ... Ah--no--I forgot HER--and God!"

"Let's go and hearken. No--he's snoring again. But the rain and the

wind is so loud that you can hardly hear anything but between

whiles."

Sue had dragged herself back. "Mrs. Edlin, good-night again! I am

sorry I called you out." The widow retreated a second time.

The strained, resigned look returned to Sue's face when she was

alone. "I must do it--I must! I must drink to the dregs!" she

whispered. "Richard!" she said again.

"Hey--what? Is that you, Susanna?"

"Yes."

"What do you want? Anything the matter? Wait a moment." He pulled

on some articles of clothing, and came to the door. "Yes?"