The Trespasser

Chapter 18

Siegmund had shaved and dressed, and come down to breakfast. Mrs Curtiss brought in the coffee. She was a fragile little woman, of delicate, gentle manner.

'The water would be warm this morning,' she said, addressing no one in particular.

When finally the door was closed on her, Siegmund sat down in relief. Helena looked in amusement at him. She was perfectly self-possessed in presence of the delightful little lady.

The little woman beamed on him. Having won a word from him, she was quite satisfied.

Siegmund swayed from foot to foot, rhythmically.

Siegmund stood on the hearth-rug with his hands behind him, swaying from one leg to the other. He was embarrassed always by the presence of the amiable little woman; he could not feel at ease before strangers, in his capacity of accepted swain of Helena.

She tripped out, to return directly.

She looked at the clock on the mantelpiece and counted: 'One, two, three, four, five hours, thirty-five minutes. It is an age yet,' she laughed.

She laughed in amusement at this mot. Siegmund looked at her intently.

Helena raised her eyebrows in polite interest. 'Have you never seen them?' she asked.

Helena arranged the matter.

He was thinking of her left alone amongst strangers.

He smiled constrainedly.

He bent his head, and was whistling without making any sound.

'You'll be coming in to dinner today?' asked the old lady.

'You have made so many enemies?' he asked, with gentle irony.

'Well,' she said brightly, 'the eggs must be done by now.'

'We will,' smiled Siegmund.

'This is one of the few places that has ever felt like home to me,' she said. She lifted a tangled bunch of fine white currants.

'Strangers,' she replied. 'I seem to make strangers of all the people I meet.'

'One of the few places where everything is friendly,' she said. 'And everybody.'

'No,' replied Mrs. Curtiss. 'I've never been able to get; but I hope to go yet.'

'No, they had gone,' replied Helena.

'Need we go—need we leave this place of friends?' he said, as if ironically. He was very much afraid of tempting her.

'It was,' assented Helena. 'It was as warm as new milk.'

'I've brought you,' she said, 'some of the Island cream, and some white currants, if ye'll have them. You must think well of the Island, and come back.'

'I thought ye looked so worn when you came,' she said sympathetically.

'I think ye both look better,' Mrs. Curtiss said. She glanced at Siegmund.

'I hope you may,' said Siegmund.

'How could we help?' laughed Helena.

'He had been working hard,' said Helena, also glancing at him.

'Ay,' sympathized the little woman. 'And it's a very short time for you. What a pity ye can't stop for the fireworks at Cowes on Monday. They are grand, so they say.'

'Ay, it would be,' said the old lady, looking in admiration upon the experience of Siegmund and his beloved. 'And did ye see the ships of war?' she asked.

'Ah!' exclaimed Siegmund, smiling at her.

Siegmund laughed too, as he accepted the particularly fine bunch of currants she had extricated for him.