Pagina 153 de 490

At the Marble Arch they hailed an omnibus, which left them close

to their shabby home in the Euston Road. It was after five

o'clock, and Sibyl had to lie down for a couple of hours before

acting. Jim insisted that she should do so. He said that he would

sooner part with her when their mother was not present. She would

be sure to make a scene, and he detested scenes of every kind.

In Sybil's own room they parted. There was jealousy in the lad's

heart, and a fierce murderous hatred of the stranger who, as it

seemed to him, had come between them. Yet, when her arms were

flung round his neck, and her fingers strayed through his hair,

he softened and kissed her with real affection. There were tears

in his eyes as he went downstairs.