trifling was against the laws of God and he carried nothing
in stock that would in any way interfere with the ways of the
Creator. At the same time he was too good a merchant to
wish to alienate a possible future customer, and so he now
said: “I’m sorry, young man, but I’m afraid I can’t help you in
this case. I haven’t a thing of that kind in stock here—never
handle anything of that kind because I don’t believe in ’em.
It may be, though, that some of the other stores here in
town carry something of the sort. I wouldn’t be able to tell
you.” His manner as he spoke was solemn, the convinced
and earnest tone and look of the moralist who knows that
he is right.
And at once Clyde gathered, and fairly enough in this
instance, that this man was reproachful. It reduced to a
much smaller quantity the little confidence with which he
had begun his quest. And yet, since the dealer had not
directly reproached him and had even said that it might be
possible that some of the other druggists carried such a
thing, he took heart after a few moments, and after a brief
fit of pacing here and there in which he looked through one
window and another, he finally espied a seventh dealer
alone. He entered, and after repeating his first explanation
he was informed, very secretively and yet casually, by the
thin, dark, casuistic person who waited on him—not the
owner in this instance—that there was such a remedy. Yes.
Did he wish a box? That (because Clyde asked the price)
would be six dollars—a staggering sum to the salaried
inquirer. However, since the expenditure seemed
unescapable—to find anything at all a great relief—he at
once announced that he would take it, and the clerk,
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bringing him something which he hinted ought to prove
“effectual” and wrapping it up, he paid and went out.
And then actually so relieved was he, so great had been
the strain up to this moment, that he could have danced for
joy. Then there was a cure, and it would work, of course.
The excessive and even outrageous price seemed to
indicate as much. And under the circumstances, might he
not even consider that sum moderate, seeing that he was
being let off so easily? However, he forgot to inquire as to
whether there was any additional information or special
direction that might prove valuable, and instead, with the
package in his pocket, some central and detached portion
of the ego within himself congratulating him upon his luck
and undaunted efficiency in such a crisis as this, he at once
returned to Lycurgus, where he proceeded to Roberta’s
room.
And she, like himself, impressed by his success in having
secured something which both he and she had feared did
not exist, or if it did, might prove difficult to procure, felt
enormously relieved. In fact, she was reimpressed by his
ability and efficiency, qualities with which, up to this time at
least, she had endowed him. Also that he was more
generous and considerate than under the circumstances
she feared he would be. At least he was not coldly
abandoning her to fate, as previously in her terror she had
imagined that he might. And this fact, even in the face of
his previous indifference, was sufficient to soften her mood
in regard to him. So with a kind of ebullience, based on
fattened hope resting on the pills, she undid the package
and read the directions, assuring him the while of her
gratitude and that she would not forget how good he had
been to her in this instance. At the same time, even as she
untied the package, the thought came to her—supposing
they would not work? Then what? And how would she go
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about arranging with Clyde as to that? However, for the
time being, as she now reasoned, she must be satisfied
and grateful for this, and at once took one of the pills.
But once her expressions of gratefulness had been offered
and Clyde sensed that these same might possibly be
looked upon as overtures to a new intimacy between them,
he fell back upon the attitude that for days past had
characterized him at the factory. Under no circumstances
must he lend himself to any additional blandishments or
languishments in this field. And if this drug proved effectual,
as he most earnestly hoped, it must be the last of any save
the most accidental and casual contacts. For there was too
much danger, as this particular crisis had proved—too
much to be lost on his side—everything, in short—nothing
but worry and trouble and expense.
In consequence he retreated to his former reserve. “Well,
you’ll be all right now, eh? Anyhow, let’s hope so, huh? It
says to take one every two hours for eight or ten hours. And
if you’re just a little sick, it says it doesn’t make any
difference. You may have to knock off a day or two at the
factory, but you won’t mind that, will you, if it gets you out of
this? I’ll come around to-morrow night and see how you
are, if you don’t show up any time to-morrow.”
He laughed genially, the while Roberta gazed at him,
unable to associate his present casual attitude with his
former passion and deep solicitude. His former passion!
And now this! And yet, under the circumstances, being truly
grateful, she now smiled cordially and he the same. Yet,
seeing him go out, the door close, and no endearing
demonstrations of any kind having been exchanged
between them, she returned to her bed, shaking her head
dubiously. For, supposing that this remedy did not work
after all? And he continued in this same casual and remote
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attitude toward her? Then what? For unless this remedy
proved effectual, he might still be so indifferent that he
might not want to help her long—or would he? Could he do
that, really? He was the one who had brought her to this
difficulty, and against her will, and he had so definitely
assured her that nothing would happen. And now she must
lie here alone and worry, not a single person to turn to,
except him, and he was leaving her for others with the
assurance that she would be all right. And he had caused it
all! Was this quite right?
“Oh, Clyde! Clyde!”
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Chapter 35
BUT the remedy he purchased failed to work. And because
of nausea and his advice she had not gone to the factory,
but lay about worrying. But, no saving result appearing, she
began to take two pills every hour instead of one—eager at
any cost to escape the fate which seemingly had overtaken
her. And this made her exceedingly sick—so much so that
when Clyde arrived at six-thirty he was really moved by her
deathly white face, drawn cheeks and large and nervous
eyes, the pupils of which were unduly dilated. Obviously
she was facing a crisis, and because of him, and, while it
frightened, at the same time it made him sorry for her. Still,
so confused and perplexed was he by the problem which
her unchanged state presented to him that his mind now
leaped forward to the various phases and eventualities of
such a failure as this. The need of additional advice or
service of some physician somewhere! But where and how
and who? And besides, as he now asked himself, where
was he to obtain the money in any such event?
Plainly in view of no other inspiration it was necessary for
him to return to the druggist at once and there inquire if
there was anything else—some other drug or some other
thing that one might do. Or if not that, then some low-priced
shady doctor somewhere, who, for a small fee, or a
promise of payments on time, would help in this case.
Yet even though this other matter was so important—tragic
almost—once outside his spirits lifted slightly. For he now
recalled that he had an appointment with Sondra at the
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Cranstons’, where at nine he and she, along with a number
of others, were to meet and play about as usual—a party.
Yet once at the Cranstons’, and despite the keen
allurement of Sondra, he could not keep his mind off
Roberta’s state, which rose before him as a specter.
Supposing now any one of those whom he found gathered
here—Nadine Harriet, Perley Haynes, Violet Taylor, Jill
Trumbull, Bella, Bertine, and Sondra, should gain the least
inkling of the scene he had just witnessed? In spite of
Sondra at the piano throwing him a welcoming smile over
her shoulder as he entered, his thoughts were on Roberta.
He must go around there again after this was over, to see
how she was and so relieve his own mind in case she were