The Making of a Soul

nd entered his small flat in Kensington just as t

ng it up with a sense of pleasure in being again in his

t into the sitting-room, where the cheerful crackle of

le of whisky; and beside the tray were the few letters which had come by the last post; while in a conspicuo

the envelope fell to the ground he unfolded the

ton will be with you a

the floor and Barry con

ow. So Owen's home. By Jove, w

plation of an unpleasant vision. Then with a shrug of his s

a rueful smile lit up his despondent young face-"I wish I hadn't

as though considerin

ere's drink, anyho

e room and made for the kitchen, which his man had left, as usu

he flat, for a pantry, Barry flung open the do

tended to dine at home, and had been prevented doing so at the eleventh hour owing to an unexpected invitation

aveller could make a meal off these provisions, and Barry carried them gaily int

earted journeys he managed to bring everything he considered necessary; and he was just standin

carrying to the table, and setting it down hastily he went to the door, in a fl

ng th

n, for he knew his visitor well enough. "Come in, o

and stepped inside, shaking himself like a dog as he did so. "Lor

turned Barry philosophically. "But come on in-take

g coat as he spoke. "I thought I'd come up and see you for half

eat." They were in the sitting-room by now. "There's

table. "Barry, you're a fraud. Chicken, apple-pie-what more can man

s usual I couldn't get much to eat! She asked me so many questions about ..." he coloured and h

arry handed him. "Well, you're loo

a whisky-and-soda. "That's to say, I'm still with

w going, and see if I don't tempt you away

he meantime I'd better hang on in the House of Rimmon, hadn't

of Olive. Quite right, too

you, old chap. By the way"-he slid rather dexterously away from the su

was a splendid brute and I was lucky to get him. Of course, I've had luck all the way through. By gad, Barry, th

; and he was bound to admi

d in a motor-accident that his life had been despaired of; and although he had eventually re

nge of scene, complete change, also, of life and routine, could he hope to recapture his old splendid vitality and abundant health; and si

tant-place, his marriage must be delayed; and although Miss Vivian Rees was only twenty, and might b

shelved; and although there was plenty of time for the production of such a literary newco

ks until his old strength should be regained. Therefore, unwillingly, but none the less unflinchingly, he had made preparations to leave

were on the verge of a sporting expedition; and Owen, who by that time was tired of

and spirits. When at length he turned his face homewards he knew himself to be in such condition as he had never before experienced; and as he sat opposite his h

y to a close. "You do look uncommonly fi

and the time flew as he recounted the tale of the glorious nights and days he had lived th

e; and then, sitting by the rosy fire, with pipes alight, each one felt th

e thing he had to say would effectually mar and break the midnight peace; and as the moment drew near in which he mus

e-the question

so calmly, confidently sure of the reply that his tone was quiet and unagitated. Even though Barry paused for a qu

moving his pipe from between his teeth, which mi

return was to be a surprise to her. I wasn't coming for another couple of months,

u corresponded

o; and I couldn't give her any settled addresses while we were moving abou

you have hea

able to me from time to time. I got one cable from her in December-on my

half-unwilling treachery, of hesitating loyalty, of

med to be excusing his own quite allowable slackness in the matter. "You see, I rea

ell her you were c

aughed shamefacedly. "But you know what her people are. I expect they'd think it frig

t, then?" Barry hated himself for

ard long!" He laughed jovially. "Had to get trimmed up a bit ... but in

. I

mine, as the Americans say. And I shall catch h

then plunged recklessly into the quicksand before him. "Ow

and stared at his questioner. "Why shoul

the mantelpiece; and as he looked down on his friend

me in the papers?" His throat w

per for months. And anyway, what sho

g his task almost incredibly hard, and his brow was pearle

was quiet-dangerously quiet. "Is there anythi

N

l me?" His forced calm was breaking up. "Out w

hankful that he could at least ans

tone quite unlike his usual voice-"if Vivian is not dead, not ill ... what i

, broken only by the crackling of

ry said

rried to Lord Sax