"I think I'll go now, Hildreth ... you wish to see Penton alone." I put
all the calm casual deference in my voice possible. I started to walk
easily to the door.
"No! stop! I wish you to stay here, John Gregory ... since you've got
yourself into this--"
"I'd like to know what you mean by 'got yourself into this'?"
"Oh, Gregory, let's not talk nonsense any longer."
"You don't believe what I assured you this morning?"
"Johnnie, it's not human ... I can't make myself, and I've tried and
tried, God knows!"
"I'd like to know, for my part, just what you mean, Penton Baxter,
spying on me this way--bursting in on poor Johnnie Gregory and me like a
maniac, while we were only reading poetry together."
"--reading poetry together!" he echoed bitterly, almost collapsing, as
he went into a chair.
Again I tried to make my exit.
"Johnnie, I want you to stay. I want to have all this out right here and
now," snapped Baxter decisively.
"Very well ... if you put it that way."
"--a nice way to treat your guest," Hildreth interposed, "the way you've
been raving about him, too. 'Johnnie Gregory' this, and 'Johnnie
Gregory' that!--and the minute he arrives, first you try to make him put
up at the community inn; and now you accuse him of--of--"
Hildreth began to weep softly....
And then began a performance at which I stood aside, mentally, in
admiration ... the way that little woman handled her husband!
She wept, she laughed, she upbraided, she cajoled ... at one moment
swore she wanted nothing better than to die, at the other, vowed eternal
fidelity till old age overtook them both....
* * * * *
"I _must_ go," I cried, quite ashamed of myself in my heart. Baxter's
credulity had expanded again, in the sun of Hildreth's _forgiveness_ of
him for his unjust suspicions!...
For the first time in my life I perceived how a desperate woman can
twist a man any way she wants.
"No, you must not go! it is I who am going--to show that I trust you."
"Good God!" I protested--this was too much! "no, no ... good-night,
both of you ... good-night, Penton! good-night, Hildreth!"
Penton Baxter stepped in my way, took hold of one of my hands in both of
his....
"Please, Johnnie, please, dear friend ... I wish you to stay while I
myself go. Finish reading the poem to Hildreth ... I think I have been
too harsh in my judgment of both of you ... only please do be more
discreet, if only for appearance's sake, in the future....
"Sit down where you were. I wish to show that I trust you both....
"Good-night, Hildreth!" and he kissed his wife in fond contrition.
"Good-night, Johnnie ... forgive me!"
And he wavered out at the door, his face set in pain.
* * * * *
As soon as he had gone I rose swiftly.
"And now I must go."
"If you men aren't the funniest things!" she caught me by the hand,
detaining me ... "not yet ... wait a minute. Read more of that poem you
began, if only for a blind."
I picked up the book, started reading again ... strangely a rush of
tears flooded my eyes and blurred the type....
I began to sob, heart-sick. I did love the absurd little man. My heart
ached, broken over my lies....
"Oh! Oh!" I sobbed, "Hildreth, my woman, my sweetheart--he trusted me,
Hildreth ... he trusted me!"