Herman Cyril McNeile

“ He, too, watched them in silence until they were out of sight; then with the smile still on his lips he turned to me.
“Quite right,” he remarked. “That's Jack Delman—polo-player, master of hounds, cricketer, golfer, etc., etc. And with him was Loraine Delman—his wife.”
“Loraine Delman!” I repeated. “Surely the name is familiar!”
Eustace Nolan's smile expanded.
“To all save the utter Philistines even more so than his. She writes books, and very good books. Even I, who impartially damn everybody who practises that nefarious trade, have to admit they're good.” ”

“ I know I'm a perfect damned fool. But I'd hoped——' He paused abruptly, and stared at the window with a weary little smile that I had no clue to. 'However, that's over now. And I don't suppose it would have been much use anyway. But oh! great heavens, it's like cutting out part of one's life.'
“He buried his head in his hands, and his shoulders heaved.
“'Decent,' he muttered. 'What's the use of that? Once a man and a woman have been mates—decency is no good. I've been a fool, Eustace—all through. It didn't occur to me to sit moping after the kid died—though I loved him as much as she did. ”

“ That was the question—reiterated again and again.
“'I don't know what to do, Eustace,' she said, as we got back to the house again and went into the drawing-room. 'He'd be happy enough away from me once the shock was over. I'm no companion to him.'
“'You were once, my dear,' I said.
“'You were both such wonderful pals.'
“'Yes—we were once,' she echoed, wearily. 'But you can't stand still, Eustace. Oh, it isn't his fault, and I don't think it's mine. It's just happened—that's all. He thinks of nothing, lives for nothing, cares for nothing but sport. ”

“ We got the run field by field and spinney by spinney, and while he was drinking his whisky-and-soda I caught Loraine's eye. And the look she gave me said as plainly as if she had spoken: 'Now you can judge for yourself.'”
Nolan paused and lit a cigarette.
“It is boring,” he continued, “there's no good denying it. Hunting shop to people who don't hunt is a dreadful infliction, and as I went up to dress for dinner things were clearer. And the clearer they became the more sorry I was. Though I'm not a marrying man myself, I've got illusions on the subject. ”

“ A rather daring experiment in the marriage-line; there can't be much in common between them. Do they get on well?”
“They didn't look as if they were on the verge of divorce, did they?” He was still smiling gently to himself, as a man smiles who enjoys some secret thoughts of his own. “And yet she neither hunts—nor does she play either golf or tennis.” ”

“ Career versus love; the old story. And the decision must lie with her, and her alone. Only in her case the love was buried. I couldn't believe it was dead, somehow—though too long burial is a dangerous thing.
“'If only he wasn't so decent and straight,' she repeated, wearily. 'Anyway, let's go to bed.'
“AND at that moment the door opened and Jack entered. For a moment I stared at him in amazement, and I heard Loraine catch her breath. For Jack Delman was what I had never seen him before—drunk. Not tight, mark you—not merely merry, but blind drunk. ”

“ Horse broke its back.'
“'Take him upstairs,' said Loraine, calmly. 'And, Eustace, please 'phone for the doctor.'
“She took charge of everything, and I ran about from room to room feeling the usual unutterable nuisance a man does in such circumstances. The doctor came, made his examination, and departed rubbing his hands.
“'No need for anxiety, Mrs. Delman,' he announced. 'He'll be hunting again in a month. But you must really speak to your young man, you know. He never turns his head from anything, but to-day he was more reckless than ever. ”

“ I'd got the clue now to that twisted smile of his last night—dear lad.
“'Oh, you precious bit of paper!' she cried, kissing old Aristotle. And then she stared at me through her tear-drenched eyes.
“'Riding more recklessly than ever to-day. Oh, Jack—you've just got to forgive me. Go up and see him, Eustace: tell him you've told me. And ask him if I may come.'”
Again Nolan smiled quietly.
“As I say, I'm not a marrying man—but I have illusions. And they weren't shattered that afternoon. I just heard his voice—a bit low and shaky—as she came past me to his bedside ”

“ He lit a cigar with the solemnity of the true connoisseur before he spoke again.
“In that locket,” he said, thoughtfully, “is the foundation of one of the happiest married lives that it has ever been my fortune to come in contact with—the married life of those two who have just left the restaurant. It consists of a scrap of paper, and on that scrap of paper is written as follows: 'Aristotle. Born 384 b.c. Died 322.'”
For a moment or two I thought he was joking. The smile still lingered on his lips, while he studied the lighted end of his cigar critically. ”

“ It is present in all of us—though modern civilization decrees that only the minority can attempt to give it its natural outlet. It so frequently fails to provide one with that necessary commodity—bread and butter. ”

“ I just saw her go down on her knees beside him with a little sobbing cry. And then I went out and left them. And I suppose things must have been all right, for about two hours later Hubert Daventry rang up. He wanted to speak to Loraine. So I called through the door to tell her.
“They both answered.
“She said: 'Tell him I don't want his beastly flat.'
“He said: 'Tell him to go to blazes.'”
Copyright, 1923, by H. C. McNeile. ”

“ They would get a house in a hunting country, with a flat in London as well. And he would hunt and shoot and play polo—and she would have her work to occupy her. Also, later on, they were going to travel a bit. ”