He plunged with desperation into such diversion as his uptown friends offered. He knew what was ahead of him in the night hours spent in the studio. The first week passed somehow. His friends said Jerry had never been so gay and such good company. Jerry could barely remember where they went or what they did.
Bobs came in one night in the second week, about six o'clock, as Jerry was deciding where to go.
"No. I was just trying to make up my mind what to do."
"I've invited myself to dinner. Let's get Mrs. Biggs to fix us up something and have it here."
"Don't you want to go somewhere, where it's gay?"
"Noisy, you mean? No. Can't you stand it here?" she added.
"I'll go talk to the Biggs; you light the fire and mix the cocktails," she ordered.
When she returned, he was lighting candles, brushing up the hearth, and generally playing host.
"All's well, steak in the ice box, and plenty of other things. Jane ordered things kept ready for you all the time, it seems. Just like her, isn't it? I never knew any human being take so much thought for others as Jane does."
He lifted such tragic eyes to her, that Bobs was startled.
"I've got to get used to missing her, Bobs," he said slowly.
"I think I'm going to lose her," he broke off, unable to finish.
"She's gone to decide whether she will or not."
"I've just got to talk to somebody, Bobs. I'm nearly crazy with this thing."
"Jane doesn't love me; you know that, just as I know it."
"Well, she's been a good wife, hasn't she?"
"The best. But there's somebody she does care about."
"No. I was only afraid of it. They had so much in common. He gave her all the consideration you did not."
"Oh, I know I've got no chance with him, but it doesn't make it any easier!" he cried.
"They told me. Jane called me in--said there had been an accident--that he had told her he loved her; she was all to pieces. I could see it, I never saw her so upset."
"She said she had to be alone, to make up her mind what she must do."
"So she took Baby and Anna and went somewhere-- I don't know where."
He dropped his head into his hands, and Bobs said nothing. Her instinct was to comfort him, but she fought it down.
"So has Jane, and so has Christiansen," she exclaimed.
"You can't go on forever, Jerry, and escape."