Between Snow and Fire — page 69: what you’re looking at

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

“THE TAIL WAGS THE DOG.” 61 for him rather than otherwise,’ said Eustace, with a dash of bitterness. ‘ About yourself. I don't believe you have closed your eyes this night through. If you won't take care of yourself, other people must dosoforyou. Presently I am going to sling the hammock under the trees and you shall have a right royal siesta.”’ His hand had prisoned hers as she stood over him arrang- ing the plates and dishes, A faint colour came into her face, and she made a movement to withdraw it. The attempt, however, was a feeble one. “J think we are a pair of very foolish people,” she said, with a laugh whose sadness almost conveyed the idea of a sob. “ Perhaps so,”’ he rejoined, pressing the hand he held to his cheek a moment, ere releasing it. ‘“‘ What would life be worth without its foolishness ?”’ For a few moments neither spoke. Hanswyth was busy- ing herself arranging some of the things in the room, adjusting an ornament here, dusting one there. Eustace ate his breakfast in silence, tried to, rather, for it seemed to him at times asif he could not eat at all. ‘he attempt seemed tochoke him, His thoughts, his feelings, were in a whirl, Here were they two alone together, with the whole day before them, and yet there seemed to have arisen some- thing in the nature of a barrier between them. A barrier, however, which it would not be difficult to overthrow, his unerring judgment told him; yet he fought hard with himself not to lose his self-control. He noted the refined grace of every movement as she busied herself about the room—thethoroughbred poise of the stately head, the sheen of light upon the rich hair. All this ought to belong to him—did belong to him. Yet he fought hard with himself, for he read in that brave, beautiful face an appeal, mute but eloguent—an appeal to him to spare her. A rap at the door startled him—startled them both. What if it was some neighbour who had ridden over to pay them a visit, thought Eustace with dismay—some con- founded bore who would be likely to remain the best part of the day? But it was only old Josane, the cattleherd. His master had told him to look in presently and ask for some tobacco, which he had been promised. “T’ll go round to the storeroom and get it for him,” said _Eanswyth. “ You go on with your breakfast, Eustace,” . comicbooks €o