Mrs. Bob: A Novel — page 260: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

252 | WHICH WILL WIN? that such a fact will change them one iota in their intentions. As I said before, everything depends on their success now, and they have risked all on this die.’ The curtain rolls up and again eager eyes are fast- ened upon the great stage. Music fills the house, and appeals to the senses of those who love sweet harmony. Watching the box Bob sees that the lady has changed her position, and is now half concealed from their gaze, though she steals a look in their direction once in a while. Perhaps she would leave, only that the old man is thoroughly infatuated with the music, his one weak point, and sits there wrapped in it, his eyes glued on the stage, caring nothing for the audience while his soul responds to the divine harmony. And Bob’s wife—what torture those minutes are to her! waiting for the time to come when the truth will be made known—when the handwriting on the wall must declare whether she is to have a mother or not. Craig is not idle, though he leaves Bob alone to look after his wife—Bob, who has for almost the first time in his life experienced a feeling akin to fear, for he sympathizes with Gypsy to such an extent that he enters into her emotions. Bending forward Craig whispers in the ear of the Senator: ‘‘John Archer, have you complete control of your faculties—do you believe you could withstand some- COMMC OOS sO