Out of her sphere - University Library

38 OUT OF HER SPHERE.
Time went on, and it grew late. " What's
keepin' the missus ?" said Deb, ''she never
stayed out like this afore without lettin
one know ; I'm rare an' sleepy ; do you
think she '11 come home tew-night, may be
she's stoppin' somewhere, an' we might as
well go to bed at once."
"It would be better to speak to Mr.
Thornton first," said Clare ;
see if he's asleep."
'' I '11 go and
She tapped at his bedroom door, but no
answer came ; she could hear his heavy
breathing—the heavy breathing of a deep,
almost unnatural, slumber. She tried his
door ; it was not locked. No fear of waking
him if she entered—she crept in with her
lighted candle in her hand, and looked
round. The clothes that he had worn were
thrown on the ground ; Clare lifted them
up, and felt each garment curiously ; the
very coat was wet to the shoulders—wet
too, she was sure, with salt water—soiled