You must stay here.
Dear, dear Sue, what can I get for you?"
"I don't know!
I can't help shivering.
I wish I could get warm."
Jude put on her his great-coat in addition, and then ran out to the nearest public-house, whence he returned with a little bottle in his hand.
"Here's six of best brandy," he said.
"Now you drink it, dear; all of it."
"I can't out of the bottle, can I?"
Jude fetched the glass from the dressing-table, and administered the spirit in some water.
She gasped a little, but gulped it down, and lay back in the armchair.
She then began to relate circumstantially her experiences since they had parted; but in the middle of her story her voice faltered, her head nodded, and she ceased.
She was in a sound sleep.
Jude, dying of anxiety lest she should have caught a chill which might permanently injure her, was glad to hear the regular breathing.
He softly went nearer to her, and observed that a warm flush now rosed her hitherto blue cheeks, and felt that her hanging hand was no longer cold.
Then he stood with his back to the fire regarding her, and saw in her almost a divinity.
IV
Jude's reverie was interrupted by the creak of footsteps ascending the stairs.
He whisked Sue's clothing from the chair where it was drying, thrust it under the bed, and sat down to his book.
Somebody knocked and opened the door immediately.
It was the landlady.
"Oh, I didn't know whether you was in or not, Mr. Fawley.
I wanted to know if you would require supper.
I see you've a young gentleman—"
"Yes, ma'am.
But I think I won't come down to-night.
Will you bring supper up on a tray, and I'll have a cup of tea as well."
It was Jude's custom to go downstairs to the kitchen, and eat his meals with the family, to save trouble.
His landlady brought up the supper, however, on this occasion, and he took it from her at the door.
When she had descended he set the teapot on the hob, and drew out Sue's clothes anew; but they were far from dry. A thick woollen gown, he found, held a deal of water.
So he hung them up again, and enlarged his fire and mused as the steam from the garments went up the chimney.
Suddenly she said,
"Jude!"
"Yes.
All right.
How do you feel now?"
"Better.
Quite well.
Why, I fell asleep, didn't I?
What time is it?
Not late surely?"
"It is past ten."
"Is it really?
What shall I do!" she said, starting up.
"Stay where you are."
"Yes; that's what I want to do. But I don't know what they would say!
And what will you do?"
"I am going to sit here by the fire all night, and read.
To-morrow is Sunday, and I haven't to go out anywhere.
Perhaps you will be saved a severe illness by resting there.