Second Sight Read Online Free Page B

truth,” he said, “I was wanting a drink.”
He said it so simply that she was shocked. Her voice was a note lower and more intense when she replied, “You know I would never give you or anyone else a drink out of their private decanter.” Then she looked around as if she might have been overheard.
“I know that,” he answered, in a voice light in tone, like his fairness. “But, you see, Mr.Kingsley promised me a drink.”
“Well, he can give it to you. I can’t.”
He glanced at the decanter, still on top of the cabinet, and entered. “I see I’ll have to help myself.”
“No, you won’t!” and she faced him, her back to the decanter.
“Going to stop me?”
“Yes.” She was breathing rapidly.
“Good for you! I have always admired your spirit, haven’t I?”
“Go away! Go out!”
He looked about him. “Mr. Kingsley poured some whisky into a glass for me. I didn’t want it then. But I want it now. Did he pour it back?” He smiled at her. “Why this sudden opposition? It’s not your whisky. And I’ll tell Mr. Kingsley to-morrow that I took it.”
“No!”
Then he looked into her eyes.
“Has Mr. Kingsley been talking?”
“Yes.”
“You listened at the door?”
“Yes.”
“The whole story?”
“Yes.”
“I see!… In that case you must know I need the whisky. It’s two miles home. Why refuse me a drink?”
“It’s Sir John’s whisky.”
“No, it’s not that. It’s not because it’s his drink, in spite of your honesty. The queer thing is—you don’t know why you’re doing this yourself. Isn’t that so?”
“Go away!” she said to his eyes.
“You are vexed that it happened. And you are frightened… of what?”
“I don’t know.”
He dropped his eyes to the rifle barrel and smoothed it with the oiled rag. He had seen her body quiver. “Be sensible, then.” The easy-going good nature in him gave a twist to his smile. “You know they come to the Highlands to be entertained. You know that. Well—we must do what we can. They expect to see ghosts and queer things. All part of the environment. Someone must play up.”
She was now staring at him, herself forgotten.
“You don’t believe me?” he asked, raising his eyebrows.
She gulped. “You wouldn’t—dare——”
“What?” His smile searched her out and its good nature terrified her. “Frightened I’m daring the Black Place, down below.” And then on the same tone: “If you don’t give me the whisky, Mairi, I’ll raise Satan himself.”
“Alick!” There was horror in her voice.
“You see? You really want to save me. But you don’t know from what. It’s not because you’re afraid of the Devil. Not a bit.” Then quietly, with a penetration that hurt her: “You hate—in your heart—that I should have let him see—that I should have let them in on me. Why?” Slowly his smile came again. “Lord, Mairi, one would almost think you were in love with me! Stand aside now, like a good girl.”
“No.”
“No? You’ll be wanting a good old flare up—so that all your bits will crash together. Is that it? It gets like that.” His left eyelid quivered in humour, as he laid the rifle and the rag on the floor. Then he straightened up and faced her; but obviously in no hurry. “I love your spirit, Mairi, me darlin’. It’s a pity that you hate those tricks of mine.”
They were words he would never use normally. The clairvoyant, underlying-bitter mood in him began to have a disintegrating effect upon her. As she filled her lungs, her whole body trembled. He saw she could not stand it much longer and he put his arms about her to lift her aside. But as they lifted