Loving - Henry Green [1]
�village. But even Michael's eldest boy at the Lodge Gates is dressed as a girl.' 'Do they really still believe the boys get carried off by fairies?' 'Well if they do they could expect fairies to see through the skirts. But couldn't you say the little chap's been ill?' she asked her daughter-in-law. 'Then she'd think she'll have to nurse him,' Mrs Jack objected. 'But couldn't you promise her that Mrs Welch won't let him out of sight Violet?' 'It is so difficult isn't it? And it's just what Evelyn and Moira have been wanting. Anyway bother nanny.' The two women smiled at one another, grew mischievous. 'I'll tell you what,' Mrs Jack went on, 'why don't we say it's Mrs Welch's illegitimate? Then she'll be so thrilled she'll look after him like one of her own.' Mrs Tennant tee hee'd. 'Oh Violet you are naughty,' she said. 'Well I don't know why not. After all the worry they bring it would be a score to give them something to really chatter about.' 'And then we should have to find another cook and another nanny,' Mrs Tennant objected. 'It's quite bad enough having them die on one. Besides, Nanny Swift will think it out for herself. I shouldn't be a bit surprised if she didn't start throwing dark hints before the child has been here ten days.' 'D'you think it's true then?' 'My dear what do we know about the servants? Agatha took the trouble only this morning to let out some frightful double meanings in connection with Kate and Arthur. I must remember to call him Raunce.' 'Kate? I'd've thought it would be Edith. I wish I had that girl's skin.' 'Yes she's a lovely child isn't she? D'you inow Violet I don't think I care what they do so long as they stay.' 'You poor dear,' Mrs Jack said. 'Why look,' she went on, 'there it is already.' And there it was close, on a low hill, surrounded by cypresses amongst which grew a palm tree, the marble pillars lying beside jagged cement topped walls against a blue sky with blue clouds. 'D'you think we have to go right up this time?' she asked. 'I don't think we need to-day, do you?' her mother-in-law replied. Calling to the dogs they turned for home. They began a talk about underclothes. But Kate and Edith were not to get out of the Castle without difficulty. As they came down their passage ready dressed for the afternoon they were halted by a broken noise of sobbing. 'Why listen,' Kate said, 'it must be the old girl herself. Now what do you say to that?' 'You go on dear,' Edith answered, 'don't wait for me.' 'Ah now come on Edie, half the day's gone already, you don't want to bother.' 'Why the poor soul,' Edith said and went in, shutting the door after. Miss Burch lay on her bed wrapped in a huge blue crocheted shawl. She had taken off her wig and wore a lace mob cap which hung askew. With hands inside that shawl and face sideways on the pillow over a patch of wet Miss Burch seemed given over to despair and sobbed and shook and hiccuped. Edith took off her beret, sat on the bedside shaking her hair free. 'Oh Burchie Burchie,' she said, 'why whatever's the matter?' She got no other answer than a wail. Then Miss Burch rolled over face to the wall. The cap twisted off her head. Edith gently put it back and because her shiny skull was sideways on that pillow she could only place the cap so that it sat at right angles to Miss Burch's pinched nose, as someone lying in the open puts their hat to protect their face and terrible eyes. 'Now then,' Edith tried again, 'what's this?' She spoke soft. 'Oh I can't bear it,' Miss Burch cried out, 'I can't bear it.' 'Can't bear what dear?' But the sobbing started redoubled. 'Now Burchie don't take on so, you shouldn't,' Edith went on, searching over this cocoon with her hand for Miss Burch's where it lay wrapped warm to her side, 'listen to me dear, it can't be so bad. You let me bring you a nice cup of tea.' 'I can't bear it,' Miss Burch replied a trifle calmer. 'It wouldn't take me more than a minute to run down. No one would ever know, the kettle was nicely on the boil in the hall when I just left it. You see now if that mightn't do you good." 'Nothing'11 ever be the same,' was all Miss Burch said. 'Now don't talk so wild Burchie. You just go easy and let me fetch you a good cup of tea.' 'You're a good child.' 'Of course I am. There dear. Rest yourself.' Miss Burch began to sniff, to show signs of coming round. 'It wouldn't take but a minute to nip down,' Edith went on but Miss Burch interrupted. 'No don't leave me, Edith,' she said. 'Then what is it now?' the girl asked, 'what's happened to upset you like you are?' Then it came out much interrupted and in a confused flow after she had adjusted her cap. What Miss Burch felt so she said was that nothing would ever be the same, that after thirty-five years in service she could not look forward to being in a respectable house again where your work was respected and in which you could do your best. Yet with the same breath she told Edith that Kate and her were lucky to be in a place like this. She went on that there were not many girls in their position able to learn the trade as she was able to teacrrit, to pass on all she had acquired about the cleaning and ordering of a house, particularly when over at home they were all being sent in the army to be leapt on so she honestly believed by drunken soldiers in darkness. She said they were never to leave the Castle, that they didn't know their luck. But at the same time, with another burst of sobs, she repeated that nothing would ever be the same, that it was to throw away a life time's labour for her to go on here. She made no mention of Mr Eldon. In the end a cup of tea had finally quietened Miss Burch so that the two girls were at last able to set off down the back way which joined the main drive not far from Michael's Lodge Gate, cut in the ruined wall which shut this demesne from tumble-down country outside. Another morning, as he had been warned that Captain Davenport and Mrs Tancy were coming over to luncheon, Charley went to his room, got out the red and black notebooks, consulted the index and looked these people up. He read: 'Davenport Captain Irish Rifles ret'd salmon trout Master Der-mot first term. Wife passed away flu' 1937. Digs after the old kings in his bog.' Then there was a long list of amounts with a date set against each. These possibly were tips. But Raunce noticed that Mr Eldon had touched the Captain for larger and larger amounts. At the last which was for a fiver Charley whistled. He said out loud, 'Now I wonder.' Then he turned to the woman's page. 'Mrs Tancy her old Morris,' he found set down and the word Morris had been crossed out. Mr Eldon had added above, 'her old pony male eleven years.' There came another long list of dates with unvaryingly small payments, not one larger than a shilling, the last in August. Mr Eldon had always seen to opening the door himself so that when the Captain rang it was the first time that Raunce had received him. 'Well now if it isn't Arthur,' this man said hearty and also it appeared with distaste. He put up the cycle for himself. 'And what news of Eldon?' After Raunce told him and he had expressed regret he stood there awkward so to speak. Charley took his chance. 'And how are the salmon trout running sir?' he asked. 'Salmon trout? No fishin' yet. Close season.' 'And Master Dermot sir?' Raunce enquired without a flicker. 'Very fit thank you very fit. He's in the eleven. I'll find me own way thank you Arthur.' 'Not a sausage, not a solitary sausage,' Raunce muttered at his back referring to the fact that he had not been tipped. He waited for Mrs Tancy behind the closed door, presumably so as to have nothing to do with Michael who stood outside to take over this lady's pony and trap. 'I'm late,' she said when she did come. 'I'm late aren't I?' she said to them both. 'Could you?' she asked Michael handing him the reins. 'Oh Punch there now!' For the cob with lifted tail was evacuating onto the gravelled drive. One hundred donkey cart loads of washed gravel from Michael's brother's pit had been ordered at Michael's suggestion to freshen the rutted drive where this turned inward across the ha-ha. Gravel sold by Michael's brother Patrick and carted by Danny his mother's other son who had thought to stop at the seventy-ninth load the donkey being tired after it was understood that Mrs Ten-nant would be charged for the full hundred. Michael ran forward to catch Punch's droppings before these could fall on the gravel which he had raked over that very morning. 'Asy,' he said as though in pain, 'asy.' The dear man he should not have bothered,' Mrs Tancy remarked in a momentary brogue. With a pyramid steaming on his hands Michael glared about at the daffodil sprouted lawn. Then he shambled off till he could scatter what he carried on the nearest border. Meantime Charley, looking his disgust, stood at the pony's hazy violet eyes. After a moment of withdrawal Punch began to nose about his pocket. 'The cob is looking well Madam,' he brought out. 'Isn't he, isn't he?' she said. 'Well thank you Arthur,' she said slipping a British threepenny bit into his hand and sailed past with not so much as a thank you for Michael. When there were guests to lunch the servants had theirs afterwards. So it was not until ten past two that Raunce sat down in Mr Eldon's chair. He carved savagely like a head-hunter. They ate what he gave them in haste, silent for a time. Then Charley thought to ask, 'That Captain Davenport? Now where would I have heard he seeks after treasure in a bog?' He got no answer. 'Do they dig for it,' he went on, 'or pry long sticks into the ground or what?' he mused aloud. 'Are you thinking you'll have a go?' Kate said. 'Now there was no cause to be pert my girl,' he said. 'Why goodness gracious me,' he remarked to Edith, 'whatever are you blushing for?' She looked as though she was going to choke. If he had only known she was stricken by embarrassment. She knew very well that the last time the lady had been over to view the excavations Mrs Jack returned without her drawers. And it was with not a single word. They had vanished, there was not a trace. To turn it perhaps, she said to the lampman, 'What d'you know Paddy?' 'Why here we are sitting and we never thought of him,' Kate said. 'Come on now. You'd know Clancarty.' He made no answer. But he laughed once, bent over his dish. 'Clancarty Paddy,' Kate tried again, 'Mr Raunce is asking you?' Charley watched Edith. He said under his breath, 'it's funny the way she blushes but then she's only a kid.' 'Are they makin' a search?' Kate went on and she fixed her small eyes unwavering on Edith. The lampman made no reply. He seldom did. Edith while she blushed hot was picturing that wet afternoon Mrs Jack had last been over to Clancarty. While Mrs T. and her daughter-in-law were on with their dinner Edith had been in the younger woman's room busily clearing up. She hung the thin coat and skirt of tweed which held the scent used, she put the folded web of shirt and stockings into drawers of rosewood. She laid the outdoor crocodile skin shoes ready to take down to Paddy. She tidied the towels then went to prepare that bed, boat-shaped black and gold with a gold oar at the foot. She moved softly gently as someone in devotion and handled the pink silk sheets like veils. The curtains were drawn. Then all that she had to do was done. Those oil lamps were lit. But she stuck a finger in her mouth, looked about as if she missed something. Then she searched, and faster. She had gone through everything that was put away faster and faster. When she was sure those drawers Mrs Jack had worn to go out were astray her great dark eyes had been hot to glowing. 'I'll wager they had everything of gold,' Raunce said, still on about the excavations. 'And wore silk on their legs,' said Edith, short of breath. 'Don't talk so silly,' Miss Burch took her up. They never put silk next to themselves in those days my girl. It wasn't discovered.' 'Did they have silk knickers then Paddy,' Kate asked giggling. 'I never heard such a thing,' Miss Burch replied. 'You'll oblige me by dropping the subject. Isn't it bad enough to have dinner late as it is,' she said. 'You just leave the poor man alone. You let him be.' Bert spoke. The nursery never had much of theirs,' he said. 'I must've took back the better part of what I carried up." 'Oh dear,' cried Raunce in the high falsetto he put on whenever he referred to Nanny Swift. 'You should have seen 'er,' Bert added. Both girls giggled softly while Charley still in falsetto asked whose face, holy smoke. 'Now that's quite enough of that,' Miss Burch said firm. There was a pause. 'I knew Mrs Welch had been upset,' she went on, 'and now I perceive why, not that I'm trying to excuse those potatoes she just gave us,' she said. All of them listened. She seemed almost to be in good humour. They were never cooked,' she added, 'and I do believe that's why they put salt on spuds,' looking at Paddy, 'but I'll say this, those precious peacocks of yours would have spurned 'em.' Right to the last meal Mr Eldon had taken in this room it had been his part to speak, to wind up as it were, almost to leave the impress of a bishop on his flock. This may have been what led Charley to echo in a serious tone, 'Miss Swift is a difficult woman whilst she's up in her nursery. But she can be nice as you please outside.' That's right,' Miss Burch said, 'and as I've often found, take someone out of their position in life and you find a different person altogether, yes.' The two girls looked at one another, a waste of giggling behind their eyes again. 'But our potatoes this afternoon were not fit for the table,' Raunce said to Miss Burch. Thank you Mr Raunce,' she replied. In this way for the first time she seemed to recognize his place. 'Well look sharp my lad,' he said to Bert. He appeared to ooze authority. 'Holy Moses see what time it is.' He hastened out like a man who does not know how long his new found luck will hold. Also he had to make his first entry in the red notebook, to record the first tip. He put the date under Mrs Tancy's name, and then '3d'. 'Wonder what happened in that six months gap,' he murmured to himself about Mr Eldon's last date, 'she's been over to lunch many a time since and he'll have had the old dropsy out of her. He was losing grip not entering it, that's what,' he added aloud. Then he laid the books aside. He first addressed an envelope. To Mrs William Raunce,' he wrote in pencil, '396 May Road Peterboro' Yorks' and immediately afterwards traced this with a pen. Next he began on the letter, again in pencil. 'Dear Mother? he wrote without hesitating, 'I hope you are well. I am. Mr Eldon's funeral was last Tuesday. The floral tributes were grand. He will be sadly missed. At present I am doing his work and mine .1 am not getting any extra money which I have spoken of to Mrs Tennant. This war will make a big difference in every home. 'Mother I am very worried for you with the terrible bombing. Have you got a Anderson shelter yet? I ought to be over there with you Mother not here. But perhaps he will keep to London with his bombing. What will become of the old town. 'We are all in God's hands Mother dear. I am very perplexed with what is best to do whether to come over or stay. If I went away from here to be with you there would be the Labour Exchange and then the Army. They have not got to my age yet because I will be forty next June you remember. But I'm thinking they shall Mother and sooner than we look to. We must all hope for the best. 'With love Mother to my sister Bell. I do hope she looks after you all right tell her. Your loving son, Charley.' Then he inked it in. As he licked the envelope flap after putting in the Money Order he squinted a bit wild, and this was shocking with his two different-coloured eyes. Lastly he laid his head down on his arms, went straight off to sleep. There was often no real work went on in the Castle of an afternoon. Generally speaking this time was set aside so that Edith could sew or darn for Mrs Jack whom she looked after, and for Kate to see to the linen. But this afternoon as there had been guests they lent Bert a hand to clear away, then helped Mrs Welch's two girls Jane and Mary whose job it was to wash up everything except the tea things. The four of them chattered in Mrs Welch's scullery while this woman, seated in an armchair behind the closed door of her kitchen, stared grimly at her own black notebook. 'How is she?' Edith asked jerking her head and in a whisper. 'She's all right,' Mary whispered back, 'though we wondered a bit in the morning didn't we dear?' she said to Jane. 'I'll say we wondered.' 'But it was O. K. at the finish,' Mary went on. 'All's well that ends well as they say. There was practically nothing came back from the luncheon nor the nursery and you people do seem to've enjoyed your dinners.' 'Just old Aggie Burch as didn't like 'er spuds,' Kate said, 'but you don't want to take notice. I know I don't.' 'Doesn't this sink make your back ache,' Edith remarked. 'But there,' she said, 'I expect her nephew on his way over is bringing a big change in Mrs Welch. I shouldn't be surprised if she didn't have him on account of the bombing. Isn't it dreadful?' The war's on now all right,' Kate said, 'and do these rotten Irish care? They make me sick.' 'What's the Irish got to do with it?' Jane asked. 'They're out aren't they? If they mean to stay out who's to blame 'em?' 'If it wasn't for the children the little angels I wouldn't ever remain. I couldn't really,' Edith announced. 'Look I'm going to dry, my back's broke. I could worship the ground they walks on. They're real little ladies. And how Mrs Jack dresses them. They've got everything so nice. I cherish those kids.' 'Well they're goin' to have a boy to keep 'em company now,' Kate said with malice. 'Very nice too and so they should,' she added. 'But what will Miss Swift say to that?' asked Edith. 'Oh that's O. K.,' Mary said, 'Miss Swift she come down to have a chat and Jane and me gets out of the light thinking there will be ructions but not a sound come past that closed door not one. We stayed here to see too didn't we love?' she said to Jane. Then in the end they both came through proper buddies, Mrs Welch seein' 'er out as pleasant as you please and her saying "well I hope the air will do him good. It's like this with children Mrs Welch," she says. "One and all they're better for a change," she says. I was that surprised.' There now I'm very glad,' said Edith, 'I am, honest.' 'Now you girls hurry with that washing up,' said the dreadful voice, 'oh, I see you've some help. There's quite a change come over this house I must admit. And don't you start a'wagging of those light tongues. But would you two young ladies like a glass of milk?' It was Mrs Welch. It was almost unheard of that she should offer refreshment. Kate and Edith could only giggle. 'Mary,' she went on, 'you run and fetch that pitcher from the larder. What I've said over and over is at the age you are you girls don't get sufficient milk. My sister writes it's short enough at home.' 'Might it be your sister's little boy who is coming to visit, Mrs Welch?' That's so Edith and his name is Albert, same as that Raunce's sick lad. One name less for Mrs T. to remember. And if he had been christened Arthur we wouldn't understand what to think would we? All the men in this place having to be of the same name, whoever heard of such stuff and nonsense.' They laughed. Then when Edith and Kate had had their milk these two girls judged it best to be gone. 'You can't be sure of her, love,' Edith said as they made their way up the back stairs. 'We did leave a bit for them yet but I'm positive she meant us to go really, calling us young ladies did you hear? You know what she is.' That's O. K. Edie an' if there were a few plates over it's not our work anyway. I got those sheets from the Gold Bedroom to mend. I wish the people they have to stay would cut their toenails or lie quiet one or the other.' 'Hush dear they'll hear,' Edith said and then went on: 'But have you ever seen such a change in anyone? Why she made herself quite pleasant.' 'Well what if she did the old nanny goat...' 'Hush love.' 'With that great beard she's got...' 'Oh Kate you are dreadful you are really. But do be careful, anyone could hear.' 'It's Miss Burch's afternoon out isn't it? Besides who would there be to come our way worse luck.' They had arrived at the door of their room. Kate flung it open. 'There,' she cried, 'look at the great boy you've got waiting inside.' 'What you don't mean Bert wouldn't presume,' said Edith going in. 'Why Kate you are silly there's no one. No,' she went on sitting down on her bed to take off shoes and stockings, 'it's her nephew coming over has softened 'er, that's what it is, love.' Kate got down by Edith on her bed. 'What would you have said Edie if Bert had been in 'ere?' 'Why I'd've sent him packin'.' 'Would you Edie? Even if I hadn't been along?' 'How d'you mean? Kate, I never heard you speak so.' Both girls giggled. The sky was overcast so that the light was dark as though under water. The afternoon was warm. It was the first afternoon to be warm since autumn. Though they could not see them the peacocks below were beginning to parade. 'And if it had've been Charley Edie?' Edith gave a screech then slapped a hand over her mouth. A peacock screamed beneath but they were so used to this they paid no notice. 'Kate Armstrong what d'you mean?' 'What I say stupid. Suppose you was come alone up here,' and her voice went rising, 'and found 'im waitin' on yer bed,' she ended, with a shriek of bed. Both gave way at this, collapsed back across the eiderdown giggling. Edith pulled herself together first. 'No,' she said, for land's sake have a mind to the quilting. Come on,' she added, 'we might as well be comfy' and they both got underneath, lay at ease with pillowed heads. 'Suppose it was Charley,' Kate said again. 'Why I daresn't even look at the man with his queer eyes. Each time I have sight of 'em I can't stop laughing,' Edith said. 'And the strange thing is I didn't ever properly take it in that they was a different colour till the other day. Not after two years and five months here, not till just the other day,' she added. 'You watch out Edie that's a sign.' 'A sign? A sign of what, I'd like to know?' she asked. 'Ah now you're asking,' Kate said. 'I wonder is she married or was she ever d'you reckon?' 'No dear she's only called Mrs like all cooks if you're referrin' to Mrs Welch. Whatever made you say?' 'Why nothing. But I wish he was goin' to be older that's all.' 'Kate I'm getting too hot.' 'Take off some of your clothes then silly. Come on with you I'll help.' 'Quiet. There's Mrs Jack's stockings I've got to go over.' 'If you lie on your buttons I can't undo 'em at the back can I?' Kate said. Then she tickled Edith to make her shift. 'Mercy stop it,' Edith screamed. 'Whatever are you doin'?' 'You said you was too warm. And struggling like you are will only make you warmer. There.' 'Kate Armstrong I thought I asked you. It tickles. Why you aren't pulling the dress off my back surely? Whatever are you at?' But she made it easier for Kate by moving her body here and there as was required. 'It's only your old uniform,' Kate said and soon Edith was lying almost naked. 'I'll stroke you dear if you like,' Kate said. 'Shut your eyes now.' 'I ought to be going over those silk stockings.' 'If you don't take good care I'll run over you like you was an old pair Edie and darn you in all sorts of places you wouldn't think.' They giggled in shrieks again at this then quietened down. Kate began to stroke up and down the inside of Edith's arm from the hollow of her elbow to the wrist. Edith lay still with closed eyes. The room was dark as long weed in the lake. 'What if it had been Charley?' Kate asked. 'Why d'you want to go on at me about him?' 'But supposin' it was Edie?' 'Well how would you have acted?' said Edith. 'Me? He would never've had to ask me twice. Not the way I am these days.' 'Oh Kate you are dreadful.' But Edith's voice was low. Kate's stroking was beginning to make her drowse. Then there was a real outcry from the peacocks. Kate slipped out of bed to look. She saw Mrs Jack walking down the drive far beneath with Captain Davenport who was pushing his bike. 'What is it?' Edith asked. 'Just those two again.' Then Edith got up to look. The girls blocked their window, made night in the room. 'What two?' Edith said her back to the darkness. And answered herself. 'Oh Mrs Jack and the Captain. But won't the children be disappointed. I know they was counting on their mother taking them out the little loves.' 'Well they can count on summat else then and so can she very likely,' Kate said. 'Now Kate you've no call to say such a thing.' Edith's voice was truly indignant. They could not hear their masters. 'It's not fair. You could get one of these,' Davenport was saying. 'Now Dermot,' she replied, 'you've no right to be beastly.' 'But a bike's the only way to get about these days,' he said. 'Darling I've already told you,' she said. 'She couldn't surely object to your having a bike Violet after all.' 'Oh I can't go on like this behind her back,' she announced from an expressionless face but with tears coming into her blue, blue eyes that matched the curtains in her room, 'no I can't Dermot any longer.' She stopped. She stamped the ground. 'Oh darling,' she said, 'I do wish I could get you out of my system.' 'Now you're upset,' he began. 'By the way,' he went on, 'what's the matter with that footman you've got here? He asked me how the salmon trout were runnin'. I thought everyone in Old Ireland knew it was close season.' 'Dermot you don't mean he suspects anything?' 'Suspect anything? My dear girl I only mentioned it to change the conversation. Good Lord I only meant he seemed a funny sort.' 'And why d'you say you wanted to change the conversation?' she asked. 'Now you're all upset.' 'You don't understand,' she wailed. 'All I meant was I'd rather have him than Eldon,' the Captain said with bitterness. But it seemed that she was not thinking of the servants. Charley now studied the black and red notebooks each afternoon. In the black he found Mr Eldon had written down peculiarities of those who were invited to Kinalty Castle with a note of the tips received on mentioning those peculiarities. But he did not as a rule spend long over this. There were not many people came to the Castle in wartime. In the red Charley found Mr Eldon had kept a record of everything he drew under the petty cash account, which was presented monthly to Mrs Tennant. At one end was a copy of each account on which he had been paid. Against every item was an index number. At the other end of this red notebook the leaves were numbered and at least one whole sheet was given over entirely to copious notes on the item in question. Thus with a charge for sashcord of 7s 6d in March 1938 which reappeared in September of that year in an amount of 6s 8d and did not recur until July 1939 at 8s 9d, Raunce turned up the page on sashcord to find that hardly a yard had been bought or used in these last three years and that Mr Eldon was reminding himself to charge for more but had not lived to do it. Once he had got the hang of things and had well studied the amount of corn bought for the peacocks at certain periods, Charley turned to that part which dealt only with the Cellar. By keeping open a Cellar Diary which had also to be shown each month to Mrs Tennant and by comparing the two,, he was able to refer from one to the other. Thus much that would otherwise have been obscure became plain. For instance it was Mrs Tennant's custom to have on tap a cask of whisky, which had to be replenished at regular intervals by means of ten-gallon jars shipped from Scotland. Not only had Mr Eldon never credited her with the empties, that was straightforward enough, but he had left whole pages of calculations on the probable loss of the volatile spirit arising from evaporation in a confined space from which the outside atmosphere was excluded. He had gone into it thoroughly, had probably been prepared for almost any query. Charley appeared to find it suggestive because he whistled. There was also an encouraging note of recent date to say that no questions had been asked for years. After the whisky had been blended in cask for a period at a calculable loss it was Mrs Tennant's custom to have her butler bottle it. Mr Eldon had charged her for new bottles every time. There was even a note of his about a rise in the cost of corks which he had not been able to use over again. What this forenoon halted Charley in the study while on his weekly round rewinding clocks was a reminder in the red notebook to charge 10s 6d for a new spring to the weathervane. This was fixed on top of the tower and turned with a wind in the usual way. Where it differed from similar appliances was that Mr Tennant had had it connected to a pointer which was set to swing over a large map of the country round about elaborately painted over the mantelpiece. Raunce did not know yet how the thing worked. He stood and pondered and asked himself aloud where he could say he was going to fix the replacements if she asked him. This map was peculiar. For instance Kinalty Church was represented by a miniature painting of its tower and steeple while the Castle, which was set right in the centre, was a fair sized caricature in exaggerated Gothic. There were no names against places. As Charley stood there it so happened that the pointer was fixed unwavering E. S. E. with the arrow tip exactly on Clancarty, Clan-carty which was indicated by two nude figures male and female recumbent in gold crowns. For the artist had been told the place was a home of the old kings./ Mrs Jack came in looking for a letter from Dermot. The carpets were so deep Raunce did not hear her. He was staring. She noticed he seemed obsessed by the weathervane and turned to find what in particular held him. When she saw and thought she knew she drew breath with a hiss. 'Raunce,' she said and he had never heard her speak so sharp, 'what is it?' He faced about, holding himself quite still. 'Why Madam I never heard you. The thing seems to have got stuck Madam.' 'Stuck? What d'you mean stuck?' 'It does not seem to be revolving Madam, and I'm sure the wind is not in that quarter.' She reacted at once. She strode up to that arrow and gave it a wild tug presumably to drag the pointer away from those now disgusting people lying there in a position which, only before she had known Dermot, she had once or twice laughed at to her husband. The arrow snapped off in her hand. The vane up top might have been held in a stiff breeze or something could have jammed it. Charley knew nothing as yet about Clancarty. 'It's the spring Madam,' he said cheerful as he took that broken piece from her. 'You noticed the arm did not have any give Madam?' 'Oh get on with your work,' she said appearing to lose control and half ran out. Shaking his head, grumbling to himself, Raunce made his way upstairs. He made his way smooth down the Long Passage until he found one of the girls. It was Edith opposite Mrs Jack's chamber, doing out this lady's bathroom. 'Hello ducks,' he whispered. 'What brings you here?' she asked as soft. 'Who d'you think?' he answered. 'Get on with you,' she said. 'Look it's like this,' he began. 'This weathervane now. Where's the old works? 1 mean behind a little door or suchlike there must be a spring to do with some clockwork. At least that's what I'm led to understand.' She looked disappointed. 'Behind a little door there's clockwork? Whatever's that?' she enquired. 'Don't ask me but Mr Eldon's left a book of directions which makes mention. Here,' he said, 'give us a kiss.' She said no as though she had been waiting to say this. She backed away against sweet primrose tiles. 'No,' she repeated quite loud and decided. 'Whatever's the matter with you these days?' he asked. 'I'm fed up I shouldn't wonder.' 'No need to take it out on me is there? What's up?' 'It's the war most likely,' she said pouting 'I shall have to get me out of this old place.' 'You don't want to talk like that my girl. Why we're on a good thing here all of us. Trust Uncle Charley, he's seen some. There's a war on, the other side. You don't want none of it do you? And there's the grub question. You got to consider that. About this weathervane now. I'll have to find the other one of you then, that's the only thing left for me to do.' He leered at her. 'Where is she?' he demanded. Edith looked sideways as though embarrassed but she told him. 'Next door in Mrs Tennant's bathroom,' she said. He whipped out and along that passage. He looked in the next open door. Against deep blue tiles Kate with her doll's face and tow hair was rearranging a scarlet bathrobe on the chromium towel horse. Edith had followed. But where he went in she stayed by the door, through which she watched as though reluctant. He slipped up behind Kate, put his palms over her eyes. 'Guess baby,' he said, still whispering. She gave a great screech beneath her breath, so discreetly she hardly made a sound. 'Why Charley you did give me a start.' 'I don't know,' he said, 'but I can't seem to bring it off these days. See here,' he went on, hands still over her eyes, 'where's there a kind of box in the wall with clockwork inside to do with that weathervane?' She stood quiet, seemed almost to press her face into his palms. But she let out a giggle at the question. 'Oh my,' she said, 'what next?' 'Come on,' he said murmuring yet, 'give us a kiss,' as he turned her. And while he heartily kissed Kate's mouth her right eye winked at Edith under one of his outstanding ears. Charley straightened himself at last, passed a forefinger over his lips. At once Edith said as though she could hear somebody. 'It's this way Mr Raunce.' He came smoothly out, automatic. She led him along. Neither looked back. Soon she stopped at a panel with a button. She opened it. He put his head forward to peer. He saw two shafts which met to be joined by three gear wheels interlocked. And caught between those teeth, held by the leg was a live mouse. At this Edith let a shriek with the full force of her lungs. A silence of horror fell. Then even over the rustle of Kate hurrying up a paper-thin scream came as if in answer from between the wheels. And as Raunce looked for the person Edith said she had heard and except for Kate not a soul appeared, not one, Edith fainted slap into his arms. After a moment Miss Burch came bustling towards them. 'What's this?' she asked, 'and what trick have you played on that poor girl now? Let go of her this instant goodness gracious whoever beard,' she said to Raunce and taking Edith, stretched her rather rough on the floor. That same afternoon after dinner Miss Burch paid a call on Mrs Welch, slipping from the servants' hall out through the vast scullery straight into her kitchen. 'Come right in,' Mrs Welch welcomed from where she was seated concentrating over the opened notebook. 'Jane,' she called, 'Miss Burch will have a cup of tea.' 'Why thanking you,' Miss Burch said, 'and is this Albert?' 'Yes this is Albert,' Mrs Welch replied. 'Get up when you're spoken of,' she added and the boy stood. He had been crying. 'Come to think of it,' she went on, 'run out now and don't get in the way of my girls at their work nor into any more trouble my word.' 'Trouble,' Miss Burch remarked once they were alone as she stirred with a teaspoon, 'trouble. This morning's just been one long worry an' what it's going to come to I don't know.' There was no reply. Miss Burch watched steam from off her tea. 'I don't know I'm sure,' she continued eventually, 'but it's him or me that's the long and short of the whole matter. We can't go on like it and that's a fact,' she said. 'A large big bird like that,' Mrs Welch insisted, 'and with a powerful wallop in each wing. Why 'e might've got killed the little terror.' 'Killed?' Miss Burch asked, giving way. 'I hope he's not gone and had an accident on his very first day at the Castle?' 'Children is all little 'Itlers these days,' Mrs Welch answered. 'D'you know what 'e done. Up and throttled one of them peacocks with 'is bare hands not 'alf an hour after he got in. Yes that's what,' she said. 'Oh dear,' Miss Burch said, 'one of the peacocks?' 'I got'm covered up in the larder,' Mrs Welch went on. 'I'll choose my time to bury'm away at dusk. He might've been killed easy. I 'adn't turned my back not above two minutes to get on with their luncheon when I heard a kind of squawking. I ran to that window and there 'e was with one in 'is two fists. Oh I screamed out but 'e 'ad it about finished the little storm trooper. There wasn't nothing left to do but 'ide the dead body away from that mad Irish Conor.' 'Yes he's taken up with the things that man,' Miss Burch agreed. 'As to that I've only to pluck it,' Mrs Welch said, 'and 'e won't never distinguish the bird from a chicken they're that ignorant the savages. Mrs Tennant can't miss just the one out of above two hundred. But I won't deny it give me a start.' There you are,' Miss Burch said, 'but listen to this. I was upstairs in the Long Gallery this morning to get on with my work when I heard a screech, why I thought one of the girls had come by some terrible accident, or had their necks broke with one of the sashcords going which are a proper deathtrap along the Passage out of the Gallery. Well what d'you think? I'll give you three guesses.' 'You heard me 'oiler out very likely,' Mrs Welch replied, watching the door yet that Albert had shut behind him. 'It was Edith, and that Raunce had been after her,' Miss Burch said, 'that man who makes this place a deathly menace.' 'Excuse me a moment,' Mrs Welch remarked and got up. She moved painful across the kitchen dragging her feet. Opening the door between she looked into her scullery. Albert was seated over a cup of tea while Mary and Jane went on with their work. 'You stay there quiet,' she said to him. 'You've been trouble enough this morning my oath,' she said, 'without your plotting something fresh.' Her voice was thick with love. She shut the door. 'Oh these long spaces,' she exclaimed as she came back. This place won't ever be the same, not since Mr Eldon left us,' Miss Burch began again. 'I said it over his open grave and I don't care who hears me this minute. With Raunce let loose without check about the house there's no saying what we'll come to. And there's the trouble of his morning tea. He will insist on one of my girls fetching it. They won't even tell me which one of them it is but I keep watch. She's Edith though I told Mrs Tennant different by being mistaken at the time. What I say is who's to answer for it when he gets up to his games with her in the bedroom. Tormenting a girl till she faints will be child's play Mrs Welch.' 'It's the food,' Mrs Welch answered, 'though I do speak as shouldn't seein' as I occupy meself with the kitchen. They're starving over there my sister says in her letter she sent. If it wasn't for that I'd go tomorrer, I would straight. He's that thin.' 'Nothing'11 be like it was,' Miss Burch repeated. 'I said so at the time.' Mrs Welch had the last word. 'Not but what Albert makes a difference being a refugee like the Belgians we had in the last war,' she said. 'Yes 'e'll be a tie,' she ended, 'and he'll take feedin'.' But not more than half an hour after Miss Burch had left there fell another blow. Mrs Welch went into the larder for a last look before going to her room. While fixing a cheese cloth in front to hide the plucked peacock she chanced to regard the great jar where she kept her waterglass. With arms upraised in the gesture of a woman hanging out smalls she watched that jar with pursed lips. She called Albert. 'Ever set eyes on that before?' she asked. 'No'm I ain't,' he replied in the manner of Raunce's lad. 'Ever been in this larder in your puff?' 'No'm.' 'You wouldn't tell me an untruth would yer?' 'Oh no'm.' 'Because what I 'ave to say to you is this: it's 'ighly dangerous that stuff is. A sup of that and it would be your lot d'you hear me?'