When they had gone, he sighed. “Yes,” he said to himself, “a great longing for joy--and the sound of the steps of little children.” Then he laughed, calling himself a fool, and went on with his painting.
A day or two afterwards Connie Deering, who had been a frequent visitor since Norma's flight, walked into the studio while Jimmie was working.
“Don't let me disturb you. Please go on,” she cried in her bright, airy way. “If you don't, I'll disappear. I've only come for a gossip.”
Jimmie drew a chair near the easel and resumed his brush. She congratulated him on the picture. It was shaping beautifully. She had been talking about it last night to Lord Hyston, who had promised to call at the studio to inspect it. Lord Hyston was a well-known buyer of modern work.
“He is stocking a castle in Wales, which he never goes near, with acres of paint,” she said encouragingly. “So I don't see why you should n't have a look in.”
“That's a blessing,” said Jimmie. “Some one, at any rate, will look at the pictures.”
She watched him in silence for a minute or two. Then she came to the important topic.
“So the two children have made up their minds at last.”
“Yes, they are to be married on the twenty-eighth of May.”
“I don't know,” she said 'with a sigh. “The subject of marriage always makes me sad nowadays. I am growing old and pessimistic.”
“You are bewilderingly youthful,” replied Jimmie.
“I have forgotten how to do subtraction,” he said, thinking of his own age.
“Yes. Of course you know. It's awful. And Aline is--what--seventeen?”
“You'll be dreadfully lonely without her.”
“Lonely? Oh, no. I have my thoughts--and my memories.”
“I should have thought you would wish to escape from memories, Jimmie.”
“I don't believe in it,” he said, turning towards her. “What has been has been. A joy that once has been is imperishable. Remembering happier things is a sorrow's crown of consolation. Thank God! I have had them to remember.”
“Do you think she is finding consolation in memories?” She spoke with sudden heat, for Norma's conduct had filled her heart with blazing indignation.
“I hope so,” said Jimmie dreamily, after a pause. “But she has not so many as I. She loved me deeply. She had her hour--but I had my day.”