But now and then Audrey, enthroned, like a princess on her pillows,
would find his eyes on her, and such a hungry look in them that
she would clench her hands. And after such times she always said:
"Now, tell me about the mill." Or about Washington, where he was
being summoned with increasing frequency. Or about Graham.
Anything to take that look out of his eyes. He told her all his
plans; he even brought the blue-prints of the new plant and spread
them out on the bed. He was dreaming a great dream those days, and
Audrey knew it. He was building again, this time not for himself,
but for the nation.
After he had gone, looking boyish and reluctant, she would lie for
a little while watching the door. Perhaps he had forgotten
something, and would come back! One day he did, and was surprised
to find her suddenly in tears.
"You came back!" she said half hysterically. "You came back."
That was the only time in all those weeks that he kissed her. The
nurse had gone out, and suddenly he caught her in his arms and held
her to him.
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