Chapter 48

CHAPTER XLVIII

One day, toward the end of February, Ralph Touchett made up his
mind to return to England. He had his own reasons for this
decision, which he was not bound to communicate; but Henrietta
Stackpole, to whom he mentioned his intention, flattered herself
that she guessed them. She forbore to express them, however; she
only said, after a moment, as she sat by his sofa: "I suppose you
know you can't go alone?"

"I've no idea of doing that," Ralph answered. "I shall have people
with me."

"What do you mean by 'people'? Servants whom you pay?"

"Ah," said Ralph jocosely, "after all, they're human beings."

"Are there any women among them?" Miss Stackpole desired to know.

"You speak as if I had a dozen! No, I confess I haven't a
soubrette in my employment."

"Well," said Henrietta calmly, "you can't go to England that way.
You must have a woman's care."

"I've had so much of yours for the past fortnight that it will
last me a good while."

"You've not had enough of it yet. I guess I'll go with you," said
Henrietta.

"Go with me?" Ralph slowly raised himself from his sofa.

"Yes, I know you don't like me, but I'll go with you all the
same. It would be better for your health to lie down again."

Ralph looked at her a little; then he slowly relapsed. "I like
you very much," he said in a moment.

Miss Stackpole gave one of her infrequent laughs. "You needn't
think that by saying that you can buy me off. I'll go with you,
and what is more I'll take care of you."

"You're a very good woman," said Ralph.

"Wait till I get you safely home before you say that. It won't be
easy. But you had better go, all the same."

Before she left him, Ralph said to her: "Do you really mean to
take care of me?"

"Well, I mean to try."

"I notify you then that I submit. Oh, I submit!" And it was
perhaps a sign of submission that a few minutes after she had
left him alone he burst into a loud fit of laughter. It seemed to
him so inconsequent, such a conclusive proof of his having
abdicated all functions and renounced all exercise, that he
should start on a journey across Europe under the supervision of
Miss Stackpole. And the great oddity was that the prospect
pleased him; he was gratefully, luxuriously passive. He felt even
impatient to start; and indeed he had an immense longing to see
his own house again. The end of everything was at hand; it seemed
to him he could stretch out his arm and touch the goal. But he
wanted to die at home; it was the only wish he had left--to
extend himself in the large quiet room where he had last seen his
father lie, and close his eyes upon the summer dawn.

That same