When she heard Christopher's step she moved about quickly to get
a light. He frowned when he saw her; he had always resented her
sitting up for him. He sat down by the stove and took off his
boots, while Eunice got a lunch for him. After he had eaten it
in silence he made no move to go to bed. A chill, premonitory
fear crept over Eunice. It did not surprise her at all when
Christopher finally said, abruptly, "Eunice, I've a notion to get
married this spring."
Eunice clasped her hands together under the table. It was what
she had been expecting. She said so, in a monotonous voice.
"We must make some arrangement for--for you, Eunice," Christopher
went on, in a hurried, hesitant way, keeping his eyes riveted
doggedly on his plate. "Victoria doesn't exactly like--well, she
thinks it's better for young married folks to begin life by
themselves, and I guess she's about right. You wouldn't find it
comfortable, anyhow, having to step back to second place after
being mistress here so long."
Eunice tried to speak, but only an indistinct murmur came from
her bloodless lips. The sound made Christopher look up.
Something in her face irritated him. He pushed back his chair
impatiently.
"Now, Eunice, don't go taking on. It won't be any use. Look at
this business in a sensible way. I'm fond of you, and all that,
but a man is bound to consider his wife first. I'll provide for
you comfortably.
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