Read Online The Judas Tree by A. J. Cronin - Free Book Online Page B

oddly, but he made no comment, and at last, towards ten o’clock, Moray was able to go to his own room and give way to his feelings.
    He was in love and, with the ecstasy of her kiss still lingering he knew that she loved him. It was an eventuality which, even remotely, had never entered his mind. All his thoughts, his energy and endeavours, had been concentrated exclusively on one objective, his career: to lift himself out of the swamp of poverty and make a dazzling success of his life. Well, he reasoned, with an upsurge of emotion, if he could achieve this alone, could he not do so with her, encouraged and fortified by one who, despite her modest social status, possessed all the qualities of the perfect helpmate? He could not lose her – the mere idea made him wince, like the prospect of sudden death.
    He knitted his brows: what was to be done? The situation in which she was placed, with the date of her wedding fixed, and no more than three weeks off, demanded immediate action. Suppose by some fearful mischance he could not stop it. The thought of Walter, painstakingly precise, exacting the full-resources of his connubial rights to their most intimate extent came to him with horrifying vividness. It was enough to drive him frantic. He must write to Mary, write at once, and send the letter to her express.
    Suddenly, as he reached towards his desk for paper, the emergency phone rang. With an exclamation of annoyance he took up the receiver. Macdonald, the switchboard night operator, was speaking.
    â€˜Mr Moray …’.
    â€˜Damn it, Mac – what is it? Another false run?’
    â€˜It’s a personal call for you. I’ll put you through.’
    There was a whirring on the line. Then:
    â€˜David…’
    He caught his breath sharply.
    â€˜Mary, is it really you?’
    Her voice came to him, guarded yet intense.
    â€˜I’ve come down to the shop.… The others are asleep and I’m all in the dark.… But I simply had to speak to you.… Dearest David, I’m so happy.’
    He had a swift, sweet vision of her in her nightdress and slippers in the darkness of the little shop.
    â€˜I am too, dearest Mary.’
    â€˜Ever since that first minute at Craigdoran, when I saw you in the mirror … I knew , David. And when I thought you didn’t care, it fair broke my heart.’
    â€˜But you know I do. I’m just wild about you.’
    He could hear her long, softly indrawn breath, more thrilling than any answer.
    â€˜I can’t stop, dearest David. I only wanted you to know that I’ll never marry Walter. Never – never. I didn’t ever want to, I just let myself be talked into it. And then, when I thought you didn’t want me.… But now I’ll tell him, first thing tomorrow.’
    He could not let her face this alone.
    â€˜I’ll come with you, Mary. I’ll ask Drummond for time off.’
    â€˜No, David,’ she said firmly, ‘ You have your exam. That’s the important thing, for you to get through. After that, come straight away. I’ll be waiting for you.’ She hesitated. ‘And … and if you’ve a wee minute you can write to me in the meantime.’
    â€˜I will, Mary. I’ve already begun a letter.’
    â€˜I can’t wait till I get it. Now I must go. Goodnight, Davie dear.’
    The receiver was replaced. Now she would be creeping upstairs in the silent house to the room beside Willie’s. Seizing pen and paper he dashed off a long and fervent letter; then, undressing in a kind of trance, he flung himself into bed.
    Next morning, like one inspired, he redoubled his work for the finals. In the intensity of this last spurt time flew. When the day of the examination arrived he entered the Eldon Hall, tense but confident, and took his place at one of the desks. The first papers were distributed. He saw, after a rapid run through, that the questions suited him. He began to write, never