remain a bachelor for the rest of your life? ”
For a long time he did not answer; then he said tensely, “All I know is, I must find out. I must.”
Simon was a good driver, if a rather fast one, and the miles sped by pleasantly as they drove through England’s beautiful countryside, busy market towns and tiny picturesque villages. At Tewkesbury they stopped for lunch at the old mill of “John Halifax—Gentleman” fame where the old millstones for grinding corn were still preserved. For a while Angela was taken back to those days, years ago, when Mrs. Craik’s characters, John Halifax and his wife lived out their happy married life.
They took a short stroll through the quaint, old town with its narrow streets, cobbled courtyards and tiny boatyards before setting off again on their journey. They had agreed to try to get within a few miles of the airport that night, so after a hard day’s driving they arrived at New Inn Green late that night. Simon had not mentioned the subject of his father again, and Angela thought of their conversation only in snatches between talk of the various places they were passing through, the prospect of a good airplane trip and other generalities.
They were tired and stiff when they arrived at the hotel, and as they had to be up early the next morning they went to bed almost immediately after supper.
It was when she lay down to sleep that Angela asked herself the question that had been hovering at the back of her mind throughout their journey, one to which she had no answer. Who was this woman whom Simon wished to marry? Did he have a certain woman in mind or was he merely thinking of marriage in a general kind of way? The way he spoke somehow gave the impression that there was someone definite, and her mind asked the question over again. Who was she?
“I hope you’re not too tired after your long drive,” Simon said at breakfast the next morning. “We can reach Paris tonight if you’re sure it won’t be too much for you.”
“Oh, goodness, no,” she laughed, her eyes sparkling. “I’d love to get to Paris tonight. I can hardly wait after all you’ve told me about it.”
Her eyes shone with eagerness and she looked fresh and radiant.
“You’re wonderful, Angela,” Simon said impulsively.
Angela blushed faintly and thought suddenly and inexplicably of Roger who loved her.
And watching her expression Simon cursed himself for a fool. Wasn’t she practically engaged to that artist fellow?
CHAPTER FIVE
Th ey said little as they drove to the airport where they waited in the lounge to be called. At last they were settled in their seats on the plane.
Angela had never flown before, and though the flight was only a short one, she found it a thrill to be airborne. The earth below looked as flat as stage scenery, and the farm country with its fenced fields took on handkerchief dimensions. Then as England was left behind, sky and sea merged.
Simon smiled as he watched her eager face. “All right?” She nodded, her eyes shining with the thrill of a new experience. “You needed this break, you know,” he said. “You look almost a different person already.”
“Yes, I suppose so. We nurses are apt to get into a rut.”
“I didn’t mean to imply that. You could never get into a rut. It’s simply that you’re the kind of person who puts everything you have into your job. You become so absorbed that you’re inclined to forget there is a world outside.”
She laughed. “Well, I don’t really think I’m one of those bores who never stir outside the hospital, but I think I know what you mean. I do need to get around more. I certainly don’t seem to get much farther than Lockerfield, and I had almost forgotten that there was this sort of thing waiting to be experienced. I think I was in danger of becoming stale.”
“I can’t agree with that, but we all need a change and the stimulus it gives.”
“I’m sure you’re right. Anyway, I’m enjoying myself
For a long time he did not answer; then he said tensely, “All I know is, I must find out. I must.”
Simon was a good driver, if a rather fast one, and the miles sped by pleasantly as they drove through England’s beautiful countryside, busy market towns and tiny picturesque villages. At Tewkesbury they stopped for lunch at the old mill of “John Halifax—Gentleman” fame where the old millstones for grinding corn were still preserved. For a while Angela was taken back to those days, years ago, when Mrs. Craik’s characters, John Halifax and his wife lived out their happy married life.
They took a short stroll through the quaint, old town with its narrow streets, cobbled courtyards and tiny boatyards before setting off again on their journey. They had agreed to try to get within a few miles of the airport that night, so after a hard day’s driving they arrived at New Inn Green late that night. Simon had not mentioned the subject of his father again, and Angela thought of their conversation only in snatches between talk of the various places they were passing through, the prospect of a good airplane trip and other generalities.
They were tired and stiff when they arrived at the hotel, and as they had to be up early the next morning they went to bed almost immediately after supper.
It was when she lay down to sleep that Angela asked herself the question that had been hovering at the back of her mind throughout their journey, one to which she had no answer. Who was this woman whom Simon wished to marry? Did he have a certain woman in mind or was he merely thinking of marriage in a general kind of way? The way he spoke somehow gave the impression that there was someone definite, and her mind asked the question over again. Who was she?
“I hope you’re not too tired after your long drive,” Simon said at breakfast the next morning. “We can reach Paris tonight if you’re sure it won’t be too much for you.”
“Oh, goodness, no,” she laughed, her eyes sparkling. “I’d love to get to Paris tonight. I can hardly wait after all you’ve told me about it.”
Her eyes shone with eagerness and she looked fresh and radiant.
“You’re wonderful, Angela,” Simon said impulsively.
Angela blushed faintly and thought suddenly and inexplicably of Roger who loved her.
And watching her expression Simon cursed himself for a fool. Wasn’t she practically engaged to that artist fellow?
CHAPTER FIVE
Th ey said little as they drove to the airport where they waited in the lounge to be called. At last they were settled in their seats on the plane.
Angela had never flown before, and though the flight was only a short one, she found it a thrill to be airborne. The earth below looked as flat as stage scenery, and the farm country with its fenced fields took on handkerchief dimensions. Then as England was left behind, sky and sea merged.
Simon smiled as he watched her eager face. “All right?” She nodded, her eyes shining with the thrill of a new experience. “You needed this break, you know,” he said. “You look almost a different person already.”
“Yes, I suppose so. We nurses are apt to get into a rut.”
“I didn’t mean to imply that. You could never get into a rut. It’s simply that you’re the kind of person who puts everything you have into your job. You become so absorbed that you’re inclined to forget there is a world outside.”
She laughed. “Well, I don’t really think I’m one of those bores who never stir outside the hospital, but I think I know what you mean. I do need to get around more. I certainly don’t seem to get much farther than Lockerfield, and I had almost forgotten that there was this sort of thing waiting to be experienced. I think I was in danger of becoming stale.”
“I can’t agree with that, but we all need a change and the stimulus it gives.”
“I’m sure you’re right. Anyway, I’m enjoying myself
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