hokingcloudsofmoonlitdust.
Shedidnotcallanymore,forshefeltveryill,andfaintedandwhensherevivedshewaslyingintheroad,withdustinhereyes,anddustinhermouth,anddustdownherears.Thereissomethingveryterribleindustatnight-time.
“WhatshallIdo?”shemoaned.“Hewillbesoangry.”
Andwithoutfurthereffortsheslowlyclimbedbacktocaptivity,shakinghergarmentsasshewent.
Illluckpursuedhertotheend.ItwasoneofthenightswhenGinohappenedtocomein.Hewasinthekitchen,swearingandsmashingplates,whilePerfetta,herapronoverherhead,wasweepingviolently.AtthesightofLiliaheturneduponherandpouredforthafloodofmiscellaneousabuse.Hewasfarmoreangrybutmuchlessalarmingthanhehadbeenthatdaywhenheedgedafterherroundthetable.AndLiliagainedmorecouragefromherbadconsciencethansheeverhadfromhergoodone,forashespokeshewasseizedwithindignationandfearedhimnolonger,andsawhimforacruel,worthless,hypocritical,dissoluteupstart,andspokeinreturn.
Perfettascreamedforshetoldhimeverything—allsheknewandallshethought.Hestoodwithopenmouth,alltheangergoneoutofhim,feelingashamed,andanutterfool.Hewasfairlyandrightfullycornered.Whenhadahusbandsogivenhimselfawaybefore?Shefinishedandhewasdumb,forshehadspokentruly.Then,alas!theabsurdityofhisownpositiongrewuponhim,andhelaughed—ashewouldhavelaughedatthesamesituationonthestage.
“Youlaugh?”stammeredLilia.
“Ah!”hecried,“whocouldhelpit?I,whothoughtyouknewandsawnothing—Iamtricked—Iamconquered.Igivein.Letustalkofitnomore.”
Hetouchedherontheshoulderlikeagoodcomrade,halfamusedandhalfpenitent,andthen,murmuringandsmilingtohimself,ranquietlyoutoftheroom.
Perfettaburstintocongratulations.“Whatcourageyouhave!”shecried“andwhatgoodfortune!Heisangrynolonger!Hehasforgivenyou!”
NeitherPerfetta,norGino,norLiliaherselfknewthetruereasonofallthemiserythatfollowed.Totheendhethoughtthatkindnessandalittleattentionwouldbeenoughtosetthingsstraight.Hiswifewasaveryordinarywoman,andwh