Goddess Abides, The by Pearl S. Buck

Author:Pearl S. Buck [Buck, Pearl S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Classics, Fiction, Novel, Romance
ISBN: 9781480421226
Publisher: Open Road Media
Published: 1972-01-01T02:00:00+00:00

She folded the sheet and put it back in the envelope. When she went to her sitting room she would lock it in her desk to keep and to read again and again. Their love was established in the only way it could be established. She need never again wait or listen for his coming. She understood why he had left her today and she knew that he would always come back. She had made it possible for him to return to his work. She had given him his freedom even from love, and so he would love her forever. Thus musing, and smiling to herself, she ate her breakfast and thought of him with peace. Only of him she thought as she went about her day. With no planning for the future she thought of him and felt alive and strong and well.

…At the beginning of May, when the pink and white dogwoods were in bloom, the season that year being somewhat late, she had a telephone call from a girl. She knew at once it was a girl for the voice that came singing over the wire was the freshest, most youthful voice she had ever heard and she knew she had not heard it before.

“Mrs. Chardman?” the voice inquired.

“It is I,” she replied.

“Yes, well, I don’t know how to begin, but I am June Blaine. You don’t know me but I know Jared Barnow. I’m his friend—sort of!”

“Yes?”

“Yes! And I want most awfully to talk with you.”

“About him?”

“Yes, about him.”

“Does he know?”

“I told him I was calling you today.”

“And?”

“He said you would understand his point of view so it would be all right. He says you’re the only person who really knows him. That’s what he thinks! But I know him, too.”

She was silent for a few seconds when the voice stopped speaking. Then she said quietly, “Very well. When?”

“This afternoon?” the pretty voice inquired.

“At four o’clock,” she said.

“Oh, thanks!”

The telephone clicked, the voice was gone. She considered a moment and then dialed the laboratory. At eleven o’clock in the morning Jared would be there. His voice answered almost immediately.

“Jared Barnow.”

“It is I,” she said. “A girl just called. She wants to see me. This afternoon.”

“That’s June,” he said quickly. “We were playing tennis last week at her place and she wanted to know if she could see you. I said why not. Don’t take her seriously, darling. She wants to marry me and she hasn’t a chance. I’m too preoccupied!”

She laughed. “Go back to your work, then! By the way, I’ve been reading a fascinating article on silicone rubber implants for replacing arthritic or destroyed joints in human hands.”

“I saw that. Heat—molded implants—wonderful.”

“Yes, well, I won’t keep you.”

“I’ll call you tonight.”

He called her every night now at midnight when he ended his day. If he waked her, as sometimes he did, she never let him know. If he called her, it meant he needed her.

“Do call me,” she said now, and put up the receiver.

…She was not restless while she waited for four o’clock, but she was stone silent.

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