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and twisted under imported poplar saplings toward a huge, pink
Spanish house. Anson had often visited there before.
After dinner they danced at the Linx Club. About midnight
Anson assured himself that his cousins would not leave before two –
then he explained that Dolly was tired; he would take her home and
return to the dance later. Trembling a little with excitement, they got
into a borrowed car together and drove to Port Washington. As they
reached the lodge he stopped and spoke to the night-watchman.
"When are you making a round, Carl?"
"Right away."
"Then you'll be here till everybody's in?"
"Yes, sir."
"All right. Listen: if any automobile, no matter whose it is,
turns in at this gate, I want you to phone the house immediately." He
put a five-dollar bill into Carl's hand. "Is that clear?"
"Yes, Mr.. Anson." Being of the Old World, he neither winked
nor smiled. Yet Dolly sat with her face turned slightly away.
Anson had a key. Once inside he poured a drink for both of
them – Dolly left hers untouched-then he ascertained definitely the
location of the phone, and found that it was within easy hearing
distance of their rooms, both of which were on the first floor.
Five minutes later he knocked at the door of Dolly's room.
"Anson?" He went in, closing the door behind him. She was in
bed, leaning up anxiously with elbows on the pillow; sitting beside
her he took her in his arms.
"Anson, darling."
He didn't answer.
"Anson.... Anson! I love you.... Say you love me. Say it now -
can't you say it now? Even if you don't mean it?"
He did not listen. Over her head he perceived that the picture of
Paula was hanging here upon this wall.
He got up and went close to it. The frame gleamed faintly with
thrice - reflected moonlight – within was a blurred shadow of a face
that he saw he did not know. Almost sobbing, he turned around and
stared with abomination at the little figure on the bed.
"This is all foolishness," he said thickly. "I don't know what I
was thinking about. I don't love you and you'd better wait for
somebody that loves you. I don't love you a bit, can't you
understand?"