The Man in Possession — page 45: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

40 THE MAN IN POSSESSION. to bed, and that he would be on the alert if anything was needed during the nicht. The girl was so weary and worn out by this time that she readily accepted his explanations. She even forgot to inquire as to the reason of Biddy’s delay. She removed her dress and threw a loose wrapper round her, and then lay down on the couch. She was too tired to dream even of strange bailiffs and fair-haired carpenters with delicate hands that ’ seemed strangely unspoilt by work—too tired, for- tunately, to remember or be disturbed by the troubles and worries of her life. Too tired to do anything but sleep dreamlessly, deeply, restfully, far into the morning of the Christmas day. It was far otherwise with that young man, who seemed to have discovered in the official post of bailiff an occupation at once interesting and con- genial. He did not sleep at all, though for no self- evident cause or sufficient reason. On the other hand, he smoked unlimited cigarettes, and partook of a brimming goblet of brandy and soda, and sat in the bachelor comfort of dressing-gown and slippers, meditating on the strange freak of fate that had sud- denly narrowed all his hopes, desires and dreams into the life and well-being of a girl. ‘That it should have been her house !|—By Jove, it does seem odd!” he said over and over again. ‘‘And she didn’t remember me—not a bit, and I’ve never been able to get her out of my head since the day at Euston. How lovely she is, and what a miserable life! How different I'd -makeit, ifi——” Then he laughed aloud. ‘‘ I suppose COMicloe (Sri C(O)