"I suppose, Jude, it is odd that you should see me like this and all

my things hanging there? Yet what nonsense! They are only a woman's

clothes--sexless cloth and linen... I wish I didn't feel so ill and

sick! Will you dry my clothes now? Please do, Jude, and I'll get a

lodging by and by. It is not late yet."

"No, you shan't, if you are ill. You must stay here. Dear, dear

Sue, what can I get for you?"

"I don't know! I can't help shivering. I wish I could get warm."

Jude put on her his great-coat in addition, and then ran out to the

nearest public-house, whence he returned with a little bottle in his

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hand. "Here's six of best brandy," he said. "Now you drink it,

dear; all of it."

"I can't out of the bottle, can I?" Jude fetched the glass from the

dressing-table, and administered the spirit in some water. She

gasped a little, but gulped it down, and lay back in the armchair.

She then began to relate circumstantially her experiences since

they had parted; but in the middle of her story her voice faltered,

her head nodded, and she ceased. She was in a sound sleep. Jude,

dying of anxiety lest she should have caught a chill which might

permanently injure her, was glad to hear the regular breathing. He

softly went nearer to her, and observed that a warm flush now rosed

her hitherto blue cheeks, and felt that her hanging hand was no

longer cold. Then he stood with his back to the fire regarding her,

and saw in her almost a divinity.

IV

Jude's reverie was interrupted by the creak of footsteps ascending

the stairs.

He whisked Sue's clothing from the chair where it was drying, thrust

it under the bed, and sat down to his book. Somebody knocked and

opened the door immediately. It was the landlady.

"Oh, I didn't know whether you was in or not, Mr. Fawley. I

wanted to know if you would require supper. I see you've a young

gentleman--"

"Yes, ma'am. But I think I won't come down to-night. Will you bring

supper up on a tray, and I'll have a cup of tea as well."

It was Jude's custom to go downstairs to the kitchen, and eat his

meals with the family, to save trouble. His landlady brought up the

supper, however, on this occasion, and he took it from her at the

door.

When she had descended he set the teapot on the hob, and drew out

Sue's clothes anew; but they were far from dry. A thick woollen

gown, he found, held a deal of water. So he hung them up again, and

enlarged his fire and mused as the steam from the garments went up

the chimney.




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