She heard the Church bell begin to ring, then the hall-door opened
and Paul came out. He had on his soft black hat, he was carrying his
Bible and prayer-book under his arm. He stood, for a moment, beside
the hall-door as though he were listening or expecting something.
She had a strange impulse to run down to him; so strong was it that
she got up and moved to the door. Then slowly she came back to the
window and stood looking down upon him. Suddenly, as though he felt
her gaze, he glanced up, saw her, and waved to her. She waved back
to him. He turned and walked quickly away, she heard the gate swing,
screaming behind him.
She waited for a little, then put on her hat and coat and went out.
She knew the Flower Street Hall, a place occasionally used by
touring Companies, Wandering Lecturers, Charitable Concerts, and
other casual festivals. It was at the far end of the town towards
the end of the Promenade.
The town, dim in the first dusk, hummed with loiterers, girls
released from the shops walking with their young men, middle-aged
couples sauntering out to take a last whiff of the sea before going
in to the evening meal, one or two visitors from the Hotel strolling
across to the beach to watch the first evening stars and the rising
moon.
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