(The long, sad sounding whistle of this train.
Damn.
He was getting nervous already.)
But before going to the hotel, he must go back to the depot and put his new hat in the bag, or better yet, carry it while he looked for the sort of hotel he wanted, and then, before going to Roberta, take the hat and put it in his bag.
Then he would go and find her and have her come to the entrance of the hotel he had found and wait for him, while he got the bags.
And, of course, if there was no one around or very few, they would enter together, only she could wait in the ladies’ parlor somewhere, while he went and registered as Charles Golden, maybe, this time.
And then, well, in the morning, if she agreed, or to-night, for that matter, if there were any trains — he would have to find out about that — they could go up to Grass Lake in separate cars until they were past Twelfth Lake and Sharon, at any rate.
(The beautiful Cranston Lodge there and Sondra.)
And then — and then —
(That big red barn and that small white house near it.
And that wind-mill.
So like those houses and barns that he had seen out there in Illinois and Missouri.
And Chicago, too.)
And at the same time Roberta in her car forward thinking that Clyde had not appeared so very unfriendly to her.
To be sure, it was hard on him, making him leave Lycurgus in this way, and when he might be enjoying himself as he wished to.
But on the other hand, here was she — and there was no other way for her to be.
She must be very genial and yet not put herself forward too much or in his way.
And yet she must not be too receding or weak, either, for, after all, Clyde was the one who had placed her in this position.
And it was only fair, and little enough for him to do.
She would have a baby to look after in the future, and all that trouble to go through with from now on.
And later, she would have to explain to her parents this whole mysterious proceeding, which covered her present disappearance and marriage, if Clyde really did marry her now.
But she must insist upon that — and soon — in Utica, perhaps — certainly at the very next place they went to — and get a copy of her marriage certificate, too, and keep it for her own as well as the baby’s sake.
He could get a divorce as he pleased after that.
She would still be Mrs. Griffiths.
And Clyde’s baby and hers would be a Griffiths, too.
That was something.
(How beautiful the little river was.
It reminded her of the Mohawk and the walks she and he had taken last summer when they first met.
Oh, last summer!
And now this!)
And they would settle somewhere — in one or two rooms, no doubt.
Where, she wondered — in what town or city?
How far away from Lycurgus or Biltz — the farther from Biltz the better, although she would like to see her mother and father again, and soon — as soon as she safely could.
But what matter, as long as they were going away together and she was to be married?
Had he noticed her blue suit and little brown hat?
And had he thought she looked at all attractive compared to those rich girls with whom he was always running?
She must be very tactful — not irritate him in any way.
But — oh, the happy life they could have if only — if only he cared for her a little — just a little . . .
And then Utica, and on a quiet street Clyde catching up with Roberta, his expression a mixture of innocent geniality and good- will, tempered by worry and opposition, which was really a mask for the fear of the deed that he himself was contemplating — his power to execute it — the consequences in case he failed. ? Chapter 47
A nd then, as planned that night between them — a trip to Grass Lake the next morning in separate cars, but which, upon their arrival and to his surprise, proved to be so much more briskly tenanted than he anticipated.
He was very much disturbed and frightened by the evidence of so much active life up here.
For he had fancied this, as well as Big Bittern, would be all but deserted. Yet here now, as both could see, it was the summer seat and gathering place of some small religious organization or group — the Winebrennarians of Pennsylvania — as it proved with a tabernacle and numerous cottages across the lake from the station.
And Roberta at once exclaiming:
“Now, there, isn’t that cute?
Why couldn’t we be married over there by the minister of that church?”
And Clyde, puzzled and shaken by this sudden and highly unsatisfactory development, at once announced:
“Why, sure — I’ll go over after a bit and see,” yet his mind busy with schemes for circumventing her.
He would take her out in a boat after registering and getting settled and remain too long.
Or should a peculiarly remote and unobserved spot be found . . . but no, there were too many people here.
The lake was not large enough, and probably not very deep.