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"O God, if it be Thy will," she whispered. She could not think of anything more. She made the sign of the Cross again, slowly, deeply, and widely upon herself, and she felt something of the shape of the Cross; strength and quiet.
Thy will be done. And again she could think of nothing more. She got from her knees and without turning on the light or glancing towards the bed, went into the kitchen. The water for tea had almost boiled away. The water in the large kettle was scarcely tepid. The fire was almost out. While she was putting in more kindling, she heard them on the porch.
Ha
"Come in, Walter," she said, and her voice was as overwarm as if she were coaxing a shy child.
"We can't stop," Andrew said sharply.
Walter came forward and took her hand, and gently touched her wrist with his other hand. "We shan't be long," he said.
"Bless you," Mary murmured, and so pressed his hand that her arm trembled.
He patted her trembling wrist four times rapidly, turned away saying, "Better be off, Andrew," and went towards his automobile. She could hear that he had left the engine ru
"Everything's ready here in case-you know-he's-well enough to be brought home," Mary told Andrew.
"Good. I'll phone, the minute I know. Anything."
"Yes, dear."
His eyes changed, and abruptly his hand reached out and caught her shoulder. "Mary, I'm so sorry," he said, almost crying.
"Yes, dear," she said again, and felt that it was a vacuous reply; but by the time this occurred to her, Andrew was getting into the automobile. She stood and watched until it had vanished and, turning to go in, found that Ha
"Let's have some tea," she said. "I've hot water all ready," she said over her shoulder as she hurried down the hall.
Let her, Ha
"Let me…" Ha
"What?" She was drawing the water.
"Just let me know, if there's anything I can help with."
"Not a thing, thank you." She put the water on the stove. "Goodness, sit down." Ha
"Certainly," Ha
"I think I'll see if I can possibly get Celia, Celia Gu
Ha
"Even though of course Jay doesn't specially, of course she's really an old friend of mine, rather than Jay's, still, I think it would be more, well, harmonious, don't you think?"
"Yes indeed."
"But I guess it's just as well to wait till we hear from Andrew, not-create any needless disturbance, I guess. After all, it's very possible he'll have to be taken straight to a hospital. The man did say it was serious, after all."
"I think you're wise to wait," Ha
"How's that water?" Mary twisted in her chair to see. "Sakes alive, the watched pot." She got up and stuffed in more kindling, and brought down the box of tea. "I don't knows I really want any tea, anyway, but I think it's a good idea to drink something warm while we're waiting, don't you?"
"I'd like some," said Ha
"Good, then we'll have some. Just as soon as the water's ready." She sat down again. "I thought one light blanket would be enough on a night like this but I've another over the foot of the bed in case it should turn cool."
"That should be sufficient."
"Goodness knows," Mary said, vaguely, and became silent. She looked at her hands, which lay loosely clasped on the table. Ha
"You know," Mary said slowly, "the queerest thing." She began slowly to turn and rub her clasped fingers among each other. Ha
Ha
"Of course we just have to wait," Mary said, after a long silence.
"Hyesss," Ha
Through their deep silence, at length, they began to be aware of the stumbling crackle of the water. When Mary got up for it, it had boiled half away.
"There's still plenty for two cups," she said, and prepared the strainer and poured them, and put on more water. She lifted the lid of the large kettle. Its sides, below the water line, were rich beaded; from the bottom sprang a leisured spiral of bubbles so small they resembled white sand; the surface of the water slowly circled upon itself. She wondered what the water might possibly be good for.
"Just in case," she murmured.
Ha
"There's ZuZus," Mary said, and got them from the cupboard. "Or would you like bread and butter? Or toast. I could toast some."
"Just tea, thank you."
"Help yourself to sugar and milk. Or lemon? Let's see, do I have le…"
"Milk, thank you."
"Me too." Mary sat down again. "My, it's frightfully hot in here!" She got up and opened the door to the porch, and sat down again.
"I wonder what ti…" She glanced over her shoulder at the kitchen clock. "What time did they leave, do you know?"