He turned from the elevator and walked out of his clinic and down the corridor toward the Medicine Clinic. He walked calmly, like a man going to his execution and convinced of his innocence.... That heart attack was responsible, as sure as death itself, Hoffbein, Peters and Paton had killed ... his best, his very best friend....
His agony was so acute that the passing faces with their increasing hysteria seemed natural.
"I'd better look in on Miss Merriweather, in case her father telephones today. Then you can find me with Dr. Sterling, if you need me."
He turned from Ward B and walked into Room Two and closed the door. That shade onto the Ward was still lowered. He had lowered it himself the first night he brought the cigarettes.
He and Sally Ferguson were completely alone.
She was smoking a cigarette. The room swam with pinking air and Cub leaned against the door jam and snapped:
"How's the leg since they took the bandages off? All right?"
"I just woke up! Why did you give me those pills last night?"
He walked toward the bed, and the horror of the night receded and a wild happiness suffused his features.
He leaned over her and kissed her twice. Completely and reachingly.
She burrowed her head between his collar and his neck and whispered:
He laid the weight of his head upon hers and she moaned and brought her lips within reach again.
Cub drained them a third time and tucking his head between her breasts said:
"God I need that, darling! I've been through hell ... hell ... red hot hell!"
Then he jerked his head up and bored his eyes into hers. His voice was wild and heavy.
"Whatever happens, whatever anybody tells you, whatever comes ... you must promise me, Salscie, that you'll believe in me ... that you'll trust me ... and know that I've wanted you all my life ... and when all of this works out ... I'm going to ... live with you...."
Her body stiffened and she snatched her eyes out of his. Her voice was hard and narrow.
"Cub Sterling, I wouldn't ... ever ... live with you! At last I see why women have children ... why they want to belong...."
All the angularity went out of him. He reached over and gathered her into his arms. His voice curled and nestled in her ear.
"You'll have them, Salscie! Lots of little Sterlings!"