He tossed his cigar into the fire and began tapping the floor rapidly with the tip of his boot.
"I inferred, of course, from a remark he made to me then, that there was a child mixed up in the affair--"
"All this must be the foundation for the rumors, then?" I said.
"Yes; but if Ewart has a child, and I am convinced he has--"
"You are?" I asked in amazement, thereby proving to the Doctor that I had never given credence to this part of the report.
He nodded emphatically, looking away from me into the fire. "If he has a child, I know it to be a girl--no boy."
"I see you have n't," he said dryly; then, clearing his throat, he turned squarely to me, speaking deliberately, as if hoping every word would carry conviction.
"Marcia, if Ewart has a child, as I am convinced he has, it is a daughter,--" with a quick turn of his head he faced me, speaking distinctly but rapidly,--"and that daughter is you."
It was said, the unheard-of. He had used his knife when I was off my guard. I was powerless to shrink from it, to protest against its use. All I could do was to bear.
I heard one of the dogs whine somewhere about the house. I know I counted the vagrant sparks flying up the chimney. I heard the kitchen clock striking. I counted--ten. I remembered that I had forgotten to wind it, and must do so when I made the bread. I moistened my lips; they were suddenly parched. Then I spoke.
"Why have you told me this?" I failed, curiously, to hear my own voice, and repeated the question.
"Marcia, it had to be said--it was my duty."
"Why?" He turned to me with something like anger flashing in his eyes. "Because I don't choose to have you make a wreck of your life, as I told you only the other day--"
"But if I choose--" I did not know what I was saying. I was merely articulating, but could not tell him so.
"If you choose! Good God--don't you see your situation? Marcia, dear girl, come to yourself--you are not yourself."
Without another word he rose quickly, and went out. I heard him go into the kitchen. He came back with a third of a glass of water.
I obeyed. The bitter taste is even now, at times, on my tongue. Soon I was able to hear my own voice.
"Thank you." I felt his finger on my wrist.
"Yes." I passed my hand across my eyes to clear my sight. I heard a heavy long-drawn sigh from the man standing in front of me.