Dwelling Place of Light, the — Volume 3 by Winston Churchill
page 111 of 170 (65%)
page 111 of 170 (65%)
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escorted her to the bridge. She crossed the canal and went through the
vestibule without replying to the greeting of the night-watchman, or noticing his curious glance; she climbed the steel-clad stairway, passed the paymaster's offices and Mr. Orcutt's, and gained the outer office where she had worked as a stenographer. It was dark, but sufficient light came through Ditmar's open door to guide her beside the rail. He had heard her step, and as she entered his room he had put his hands heavily on his desk, in the act of rising from his chair. "Janet!" he said, and started toward her, but got no farther than the corner of the desk. The sight of her heaving breast, of the peculiar light that flashed from beneath her lashes stopped him suddenly. Her hands were in her pockets. "What is it?" he demanded stupidly. But she continued to stand there, breathing so heavily that she could not speak. It was then that he became aware of an acute danger. He did not flinch. "What is it?" he repeated. Still she was silent. One hand was thrust deeper into its pocket, he saw a shudder run through her, and suddenly she burst into hysterical weeping, sinking into a chair. He stood for some moments helplessly regarding her before he gained the presence of mind to go to the door and lock it, returning to bend over her. "Don't touch me!" she said, shrinking from him. "For God's sake tell me what's the matter," he begged. |
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