the Flushings by
her side.

They were talking about the things they had bought and arguing whether
they were really old, and whether there were not signs here and there
of European influence. Helen was appealed to. She was made to look at
a brooch, and then at a pair of ear-rings. But all the time she blamed
them for having come on this expedition, for having ventured too far and
exposed themselves. Then she roused herself and tried to talk, but in a
few moments she caught herself seeing a picture of a boat upset on the
river in England, at midday. It was morbid, she knew, to imagine such
things; nevertheless she sought out the figures of the others between
the trees, and whenever she saw them she kept her eyes fixed on them, so
that she might be able to protect them from disaster.

But when the sun went down and the steamer turned and began to
steam back towards civilisation, again her fears were calmed. In the
semi-darkness the chairs on deck and the people sitting in them were
angular shapes, the mouth being indicated by a tiny burning spot, and
the arm by the same spot moving up or down as the cigar or cigarette
was lifted to and from the lips. Words crossed the darkness, but, not
knowing where they fell, seemed to lack energy and substance. Deep
sights proceeded regularly, although with some attempt at suppression,
from the large white mound which represented the person of Mrs.
Flushing. The day had been long and very hot, and now that all the
colours were blotted out the cool night air seemed to press soft fingers
upon the eyelids, sealing them down. Some philosophical remark directed,
apparently, at St. John Hirst missed its aim, and hung so long suspended
in the air until it was engulfed by a yawn, that it was considered dead,
and this gave the signal for stirring of legs and murmurs about sleep.
The white mound moved, finally lengthened itself and disappeared, and
after a few turns and paces St. John and Mr. Flushing withdrew, leaving
the three chairs still occupied by three silent bodies. The light which
came from a lamp high on the mast and a sky pale with stars left
them with shapes but without features; but even in this darkness the
withdrawal of the others made them feel each other very near, for they
were all thinking of the same thing. For some time no one spoke, then
Helen said with a sigh, "So you're both very happy?"

As if washed by the air her voice sounded more spiritual and softer than
usual. V