"But you'll go out, Ida, if I order the carriage?"
"Thank you, I should like to."
That first drive had been to Ida a joy unspeakable. To-day for the
first time she was able to sweep her mind clear of the dread shadow
of brooding, and give herself up to simple enjoyment of the hour.
Abraham went and told Waymark of all this as soon as they got back.
In the exuberance of his spirits he was half angry with the invalid
for being gloomy. Waymark had by this time shaken off all effects of
his disagreeable adventure, with the exception of a weakness of the
eyes; but convalescence did not work upon him as in Ida's case. He
was morose, often apparently sunk in hopeless wretchedness. When
Abraham spoke to him of Ida, he could scarcely be got to reply.
Above all, he showed an extreme impatience to recover his health and
go back to the ordinary life.
"I shall be able to go for the rents next Monday," he said to Mr.
Woodstock one day.
"I should have thought you'd had enough of that. I've found another
man for the job."
"Then what on earth am I to do?" Waymark exclaimed impatiently. "How
am I to get my living if you take that work away from me?"
"Never mind; we'll find something," Abraham returned.
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