"Clay?"
"Yes. Come in. Shall I have Buckham light a fire?"
She came in, slowly.
"Do you suppose that cable is reliable?"
"I should think so."
"He may have a relapse."
"We mustn't worry about what may come. He is better now. The chances are
that he'll stay better."
"Probably. I suppose, because I have been so ill--"
He felt the demand for sympathy, but he had none to give. And he felt
something else. Natalie was floundering, an odd word for her, always
so sure of herself. She was frightened, unsure of herself,
and--floundering. Why?
"Are you going to be in to-night?"
"Yes."
She gave a curious little gesture. Then she evidently made up her mind
and she faced him defiantly.
"Of course, if I had known he was going to be better, I'd--Clay, I wired
yesterday for Rodney Page. He arrives to-night."
"Rodney?"
"Yes."
"I don't think I quite understand, Natalie. Why did you wire for him?"
"You wouldn't understand, of course. I was in trouble. He has been my
best friend. I tried to bear it alone, but I couldn't. I--"
"Alone! You wouldn't see me."
"I couldn't, Clay."
"Why?"
"Because--if Graham had died--"
Her mouth trembled. She put her hand to her throat.
"You would have blamed me for his death?"
"Yes."
"Then, even now, if--"
"Yes."
The sheer cruelty of it sent him pale. Yet it was not so much deliberate
as unconscious. She was forcing herself to an unwonted honesty. It was
her honest conviction that he was responsible for Graham's wounding and
danger.
"Let me get to the bottom of this," he said quietly. "You hold me
responsible. Very well. How far does that take us? How far does that
take you? To Rodney!"
"You needn't be brutal. Rodney understands me. He--he cares for me,
Clay."
"I see. And, since you sent for him I take it you care for Rodney."
"I don't know. I--"
"Isn't it time you do know? For God's sake, Natalie, make up your mind
to some course and stick to it."
But accustomed as he was to the curious turns of her mind, he was still
astounded to have her turn on him and accuse him of trying to get rid
of her. It was not until later that he realized in that attitude of hers
her old instinct of shifting the responsibility from her own shoulders.