In the Days of the Comet Read online

  Section 3

  I recall with a vivid precision her queer start when she heard therustle of my approaching feet, her surprise, her eyes almost ofdismay for me. I could recollect, I believe, every significant wordshe spoke during our meeting, and most of what I said to her. Atleast, it seems I could, though indeed I may deceive myself. ButI will not make the attempt. We were both too ill-educated tospeak our full meanings, we stamped out our feelings with clumsystereotyped phrases; you who are better taught would fail to catchour intention. The effect would be inanity. But our first wordsI may give you, because though they conveyed nothing to me at thetime, afterwards they meant much.

  "YOU, Willie!" she said.

  "I have come," I said--forgetting in the instant all the elaboratethings I had intended to say. "I thought I would surprise you--"

  "Surprise me?"

  "Yes."

  She stared at me for a moment. I can see her pretty face now asit looked at me--her impenetrable dear face. She laughed a queerlittle laugh and her color went for a moment, and then so soon asshe had spoken, came back again.

  "Surprise me at what?" she said with a rising note.

  I was too intent to explain myself to think of what might lie inthat.

  "I wanted to tell you," I said, "that I didn't mean quite . . .the things I put in my letter."