Loving - Henry Green [3]
�What is?' 'The gardening glove.' 'You'll excuse me it's not. I ought to know seeing that's my own pantry. Where is it then?' 'I put 'er glove in the cupboard,' Albert said, 'on the bottom shelf. I seen it only this morning.' 'Oh well if you've hidden the thing,' Raunce replied and they fell back on silence. Edith looked up to find Kate watching her. She blushed. 'Land's sakes there she goes colouring again,' Raunce announced hearty. 'She should go and give one of them blood transfusions they are asking volunteers for, she's got too much,' he commented out of one side of his mouth to Miss Burch next him. 'Don't be disgusting,' was all this woman said. But he had obviously recollected. Eggs must have made him think of waterglass. 'Wait a minute,' he cried. Kate watched. 'I've just remembered summat,' he went on. He paused, and his eyes were on Edith while her blushes flooded once more. 'I do believe I done you a real injustice,' he said to Albert perhaps. But he did not seem able to take his eyes off the girl while she looked at him melting as though at his mercy. 'We shall have to make them open up the drains for us that's all,' Miss Burch stated, still on about the ring. 'Oh forget it,' Charley said to Edith, probably meaning this remark for Albert. He lowered his eyes and an odd sort of bewilderment showed in his face. But Miss Burch must. have understood that he was answering her for she objected, 'I can't forget,' and she spoke resigned. 'I'm sure I've looked every place and it was a beautiful ring, an antique,' she added. At this moment Mrs Welch had an idea away in the kitchen. Leaving her black notebook she shuffled swift into the scullery where little Albert was at table over a cup of cocoa while the two girls prepared vegetables in one of six sinks. 'There's none of you girls go talking to the tradesmen?' she asked in a menacing voice and gave no warning. 'Oh no m'm.' 'There's not one of you so much as passes the time of day with that butcher?' 'No m'm truly.' 'Because remember what I said. Don't have nothing to do with them Irish or you'll likely bring our own blood on us. By reason of the I. R. A. And never forget.' 'Yes m'm.' 'And where do they carry the victuals when they call?' Mrs Welch went on to ask. 'They leave 'em in the outside larder like you said.' 'Now when d'you fetch what they've left?' 'When they're gone,' the girls answered. That's right. Also I'll take up with those merchants what they've delivered short, what they owe me, on the blower, understand. Nor you 'aven't spoken with one of them?' 'No m'm.' 'And 'ow d'you know when they've been?' 'They ring the little bell as they're leavin'.' That's right. Then it can't be one of the tradesmen after all,' she said going back into the kitchen and there cried out loud to herself, 'Oh my waterglass.' What she had lost still seemed uppermost on Mrs Welch's mind when after dinner that same day Miss Burch dropped in to have a word. 'I've been and measured'n again,' she greeted Agatha, 'and there's above a quart gone without trace. Mary bring Miss Burch a cup of tea.' 'I do miss Mr Eldon, I do miss that man,' Miss Burch said. 'No matter who couldn't happen to lay their hands on something he always imagined where to find it. He startled you that way.' 'Not what is short out of my jar he never could.' 'No matter where it was Mrs Tennant dropped whatever it might be,' Agatha went on regardless, 'he was on 'and to restore it. He knew where things had lodged before they were rightly out of your fingers. There you are Mrs Welch it's a gift.' 'It's a gift right enough the way some is born sticky fingered.' 'Now I wouldn't say anyone had taken that ring, no I'd never go so far as that. I don't believe there's a soul in this Castle would do such a thing.' 'I've 'ad the matter over with my girls,' Mrs Welch said, 'right into things I've been, and I've given Albert a talkin' to my word. If 'e'd known the slightest bit I'd've had it out of 'im you can lay your oath on that.' 'It's a mystery.' 'A dark mystery's right,' Mrs Welch echoed. 'A ring will roll I grant, but don't tell me above a quart of waterglass will fly out of what it's in without a drop spilled on the floor, the diabolical stroke,' she added. 'I knew a woman once went down to Brighton for the Whitsun,' Miss Burch began, 'and her ring slipped in the sand. The next day she went back with her little nipper's wooden shovel, dug away where she'd been seated, and there it was after the tide had been over even.' 'You'll 'ave to get the plumbin' opened up that's all.' 'Just what I said with the cup of cocoa this morning,' Miss Burch replied. 'Of course I've got my girls searching this minute but they would never see the Crown jewels laying right before them they're so occupied looking over their shoulders for that Raunce.' 'I won't 'ave 'im in my kitchen.' 'Oh you're fortunate, you've a place you can call your own. Though he's improved the last few days, I will allow that. We may make something of him yet.' 'Ave they so much as glanced at those drains in the last twelvemonth?' Mrs Welch enquired. 'They should be done out,' Miss Burch said. 'But the proper time will be when they both go over for Mr Jack's leave which will be any time now or so I'm led to believe.' 'I was goin' to speak to 'er myself on it,' Mrs Welch announced. 'It ain't 'ealthy in these old buildings that has a cesspool dug before sewers come to be invented. Not with children about that is.' 'And where would the little chap be this afternoon?' 'My Albert? Oh I sent 'im up to Miss Swift to get 'is run out.' 'That's right,' Miss Burch said. 'It's not right for them to be all day inside. Like Raunce is for instance.' 'Gawd 'elp us with the man when they do go over the other side for Mr Jack.' As she spoke Mrs Welch started to look wild again. 'You think so?' Miss Burch asked seeming at once to dread. 'It's not thinking, I'm certain sure. Well there's just the one thing for it,' Mrs Welch cried suddenly frantic, 'every mortal object must be under lock and key. There maun't be a drawer can be opened or a door they shall get in by. And as for my pots and pans I'll get me a padlock and chains and stake 'em down to me dresser,' she almost shouted pointing to the vast array of burnished copper and aluminium. 'And if I can't get a chain will go through them 'oles in the 'andles so 'elp me God I'll send to Berlin if I shouldn't find what'll suit in this poor law island.' 'To Berlin?' Miss Burch asked with a gasp. 'That's right,' Mrs Welch answered and seemed gratified. 'We're in a nootral country aren't we?' 'Bless me but I can't stay sitting here,' Miss Burch said getting up, 'I must do a bit more I suppose. I'm obliged to you for the cup of tea I was parched,' she added. 'You're welcome,' Mrs Welch replied as she reopened her black notebook. Agatha walked stiffly through the back premises towards Mrs Tennant's bedroom which was being given a thorough turnout by her girls. She had made the loss of this ring an excuse to favour the room with a proper doing. But unusual sounds of activity in the pantry made her choose to go through this on the way upstairs. She found Raunce hard at it with silver out over green baize cloths across every table he could lay hands on and even into his bedroom. Saucers filled with a violet coloured polish, old toothbrushes, shammy leather and the long white soft-haired brushes were laid out for use among sauceboats, salvers, rose bowls and the silver candlesticks of all shapes and sizes. She passed Raunce and his lad in a silence which seemed to grant gracious approval. 'The old cow,' Charley remarked once she was out of earshot. 'You've said it,' the boy replied. 'You know Bert I sometimes marvel women can go sour like that. When you think of them young, soft and tender it doesn't 'ardly seem possible now the way they turn so that you would never hold a crab apple up to them they're so acid.' 'That's right,' the boy said as he worked. 'And what Mr Eldon could see in her is a mystery but then he was deep,' Raunce commented with admiration in his voice. 'He was deep if ever there was one.' At any pause in what he was saying he whistled between his teeth like a groom while he rubbed and polished. He was apparently in fine fettle. 'What day is it?' he asked. 'Why Saturday,' the boy answered. 'Holy smoke if we was to creep upstairs tomorrow after dinner and find those two slaves of hers laid out on their little beds where they'll be of a Sunday afternoon. What would you do eh?' Albert stopped work and stared. He seemed astonished. 'After cleaning your teeth of course,' Charley added. 'Why what d'you mean?' Albert asked. 'What would you say to Kate? A lovely blonde? Now then take your hands out of those pockets and get on with the work or we'll be here all night. Have you ever had anything to do with a woman?' The habitual look of obstinacy appeared on Albert's face. He did not answer. 'There's no call to be bashful,' Raunce said. 'Everyone's got to make a start one time or another. Have you or have you not? You won't answer. I don't blame you neither. Broadminded Charley that's what I'm known as. But one thing you can get into that thick skull of yours. You lay off Edith, understand. You can muck about with Kate all you please but Edith's close season, get me?' 'Yes Mr Raunce, whatever you say.' 'What d'you mean whatever I say? You be careful my lad else you'll be getting me upset in another minute. Strike me blind I don't for the life of me know why I'm talking to you. But I lie awake at night moithering about that lass. Have you ever lain awake at night?' 'No Mr Raunce.' 'Don't. It's not worth it. Tell me something. D'you shave?' The boy's left hand went to his chin. 'Not yet I don't.' "Then put it out of mind, she wouldn't think of you. Kate might now. She's different. What say we go to their room to-morrow eh?' 'You wouldn't dare.' 'I wouldn't dare! Who d'you take me for? Let me tell you there was many an occasion I went up to Mamselle's boudoir to give her a long bongjour before she went back to France.' 'That's different,' the boy said and said under his breath, 'oh Christ help me.' 'What d'you mean that's different? They're all made the same aren't they an' that means they're built different from you and me doesn't it? What are you gettin' at talking so soft?' 'Then why ask me then?' 'Because you're sweet on 'er, that's why,' Raunce said in a sort of shout. 'Holy Moses I don't know why I allow myself to get put out,' he went on calmer. 'But there's a certain way you have of looking down that dam delicate snotty nose you sniff with that gets my goat. Gets my goat see?' he added in rising tones. 'Yes Mr Raunce.' That's all right then. Don't pay attention to uncle, at least not on every occasion. No you're going the wrong way about it with that toast rack,' he said as helpful as you please. 'Hand over and I'll show you.' And he proceeded to demonstrate. Meantime Mrs Tennant and her daughter-in-law were making their way as usual to the ruined temple. 'Violet,' she said, 'Mrs Manton, poor Mother's old friend, has asked me to stay with her at Belchester on my way over.' 'Yes dear.' 'I thought I might. It would be a change.' 'Yes dear.' 'When did you say Jack was definitely getting his leave? The twenty-first isn't it? Well if I crossed over on the eighteenth that would give me three days with Hermione at Belchester before coming up to London. You wouldn't mind just forty-eight hours down here alone?' Every part of the young woman's body except her Adam's apple was crying out the one word Dermot. She could not trust herself to speak. 'Because if you did,' Mrs Tennant went on in a doubtful voice, 'I could visit Hermione after Jack had gone back to his unit. Because I expect you will be staying on in London for a few days.' 'Don't you bother about little me,' Mrs Jack brought out at last. 'I shall be all right.' 'Are you sure? Really I feel I would rather get away from this place for a bit. The servants are being so truly beastly. And then there was my lovely cluster ring Jack's Aunt Emily gave me. D'you know I haven't had a word of sympathy yet from one of them about it.' 'Darling it is a shame,' Mrs Jack said. 'Badger come here. Come here when I tell you.' 'I know it's an absurd thing to expect,' Mrs Tennant went on looking up into the sky, 'but Eldon with all his faults always had a word of comfort when there was a disaster. Oh isn't it really too dreadful? Violet dear what d'you think?' 'I think it'll turn up. I know they haven't found anything in your bedroom but it can't simply have disappeared.' 'That's why I think if I went away somehow the luck might change,' Mrs Tennant said. 'I know there's a voice tells me the minute I turn my back they'll find my ring.' 'But Raunce is a bit of a wet rag isn't he?' her daughter-in-law remarked. 'Wet blanket you mean,' Mrs Tennant said. 'Oh well what can you expect with servants nowadays.' She spoke much more cheerfully. Then that's settled,' she went on, 'I'll go over a day or two ahead and we'll all meet in London to try and give the dear boy a good time. But talking of Raunce,' she went on and Mrs Jack could have had no suspicion of what was coming, 'he brought me his book this morning. You know I hardly ever look at it but well this was the first time he'd presented the thing himself and I don't know why, I suppose it's the war, but four pounds seven and six for a new arm to the map in the study why I could hardly believe my eyes. Why darling whatever's the matter?' Because Mrs Jack was leaning helpless against a tree with her face averted. 'Nothing,' she murmured weak voiced. Mrs Tennant asked herself under her breath if the child was going to have another baby, and counted up the months from when the darling had seen her husband last. 'Sit down. No it's damp. Lean on my arm,' she said, and then her lips shaped March April May. 'I shall be all right in a minute.' 'I should never have dragged you out like this you poor child,' Mrs Tennant said. 'You should have said you didn't feel quite the thing.' 'What did he say?' Mrs Jack enquired as though in spite of herself. 'What did who say? Here sit here. At least it's dry.' 'That man Raunce,' the younger woman answered. 'My dear really I shall always repeat what you've just asked as the most wonderful example of self possession that's ever come my way. I must say your generation's too extraordinary. Here you are you poor child nearly in a faint and yet you remember I was talking about the compass arm over the map in the study. Lean back against me now. And keep your head down.' Her daughter-in-law made a great effort. 'Well you wouldn't want me to go on about my silly old tummy, would you?' she asked in stronger tones. 'Why my darling,' Mrs Tennant exclaimed in what was almost a fruity voice, obviously visualizing a third grandchild. 'Why darling...' 'No, it isn't that,' Mrs Jack said and the searing rage, which that very moment swept over her as she realized, showed in how loudly she spoke. 'I expect it's something I had for lunch,' she added subsiding, guilty. 'I'll speak to Mrs Welch.' 'Oh no don't, please don't,' her daughter-in-law implored. Mrs Tennant said no more but she had made up her mind. The pots and pans were not being kept clean. That was all, or was it? Raunce also became the subject in Mrs Tennant's bedroom. Miss Burch had not stayed long. When they were alone, turning the place upside down, Edith tried without success to get Kate to talk. They took the covers off all the armchairs, removed every rug and stripped the bed but to each comment Edith made such as 'well it's not here,' or 'I can't see it love can you?' Kate made answer with a silence that might have begun to work on Edith. For at last this girl said, 'D'you think I did ought to have told Mr Raunce about that waterglass?' 'Ah you're a deep one you are,' Kate immediately replied. 'I'm not and I don't know what you're after,' Edith protested beating a monogrammed pillow edged with lace between the palms of her two hands. But Kate made no reply and Edith apparently did not want to leave the matter for she tried again. 'When all's said and done love it's not as if Albert was suspected. That's just Mr Raunce's way,' she said. 'What makes you give him a Mr?' Kate asked. 'Why he's got the position now surely?' 'But he's no different to what he was,' Kate objected. 'According to one way of takin' it he's not,' Edith said, 'but whichever way we regard him he sees himself the butler.' 'O. K. if that's how you look at it.' 'Now Kate what's come over you? You wouldn't wish to spite him surely?' 'Listen,' Kate said, 'it don't matter to me what he thinks we think. All he'll be to me is Charley same as he always has been,' 'All right,' said Edith, 'I'll call him Charley and drop the mister.' 'And blush right in 'is face?' 'Kate Armstrong I'm surprised.' 'You can be surprised all right. I should worry. No I'm disappointed in you Edie, I am that.' They stood on either side of the bed looking at each other. 'Then you do think I should never have kept silent. What you say is I should have talked up at the first go off when Mrs Welch came in at teatime?' Edith spoke as though she had been running but Kate only smiled. Kate said, 'I wouldn't play the innocent if I was you, not with me. It don't come off and that's a fact.' 'Then what you're gettin' at, without you're having what it takes to tell, what you're tryin' to say is you think I'm after 'im when he's something to you? Is that right?' 'Christ 'e's nothing to me. Charley Raunce? I'd sooner be dead.' 'I'll bet you'd sooner be dead.' 'What d'you insinuate by that Edie? I don't have to tell you you can go so far and no farther where I'm concerned thank you.' 'All right then I'll learn you something,' Edith said and she panted and panted. 'I love Charley Raunce I love 'im I love 'im so there. I could open the veins of my right arm for that man,' she said, turned her back on Kate, walked out and left her. 'You needn't have told me. I knew, don't worry,' Kate said to the now empty room, but with a sort of satisfaction as it seemed'in pain. On the 18th Mrs Tennant left for England and Belchester. That same evening Captain Davenport dined at the Castle alone with Mrs Jack who had instructed Raunce that he need not wait up to see the Captain out. There was nothing unusual in this to draw comment, and next morning Edith was rubbing her face, yawning like a child when it was time to call the lady. She gently knocked. She got no reply but then she never did. When she went in after knocking a second time the curtains which Miss Burch had already drawn back in the passage outside let sufficient light for Edith to see her way across the room. But she went soft, cautious so as not to stumble against the gold oar that stood out from the bed. Then she drew those curtains. She folded the shutters back into the wall. And Edith looked out on the morning, the soft bright morning that struck her dazzled dazzling eyes. A movement over in the bed attracted her attention. She turned slow. She saw a quick stir beside the curls under which Mrs Jack's head lay asleep, she caught sight of someone else's hair as well, and it was retreating beneath silk sheets. A man. Her heart hammered fit to burst her veins. She gave a little gasp. Then the dark head was altogether gone. But there were two humps of body, turf over graves under those pink bedclothes. And it was at this moment Mrs Jack jumped as if she had been pinched. Not properly awake she sat straight up. She was nude. Then no doubt remembering she said very quick, 'Oh Edith it's you it's quite all right I'll ring.' On which she must have recognized that she was naked. With a sort of cry and crossing her lovely arms over that great brilliant upper part of her on which, wayward, were two dark upraised dry wounds shaking on her, she also slid entirely underneath. When Edith came to herself she found she was outside in the Long Passage, that bedroom door shut after her and with Miss Burch halted staring at her face. She said, all come over faint, 'I don't know how I was able to find me way out.' 'How d'you mean Edith?' 'An' if I'd been a'carryin' her early tea I'd 'a' dropped it.' 'And so you might dashing into me as you did.' 'In there,' Edith added. She seemed at her last gasp. 'In where?' Miss Burch asked grim. For two moments Edith struggled to get breath. 'A man,' she said at last. 'God save us a man,' Miss Burch muttered, knocked and went straight through, shutting the door after. Edith leant against the table, the one that had naked cupids inlaid with precious woods on its top. She bent her head. She seemed afraid she might be sick. But when Miss Burch came out again as she did at once Edith drew herself straight to hear the verdict. 'E's puttin' 'is shirt on,' was all Miss Burch said, shocked into dropping her aitches. Then she added as though truly brokenhearted, 'Come on away my girl. Let 'im get off h'out.' Edith made no move, stayed gazing at her. 'Come will you,' Miss Burch repeated gentle, 'this is no place for us my dear,' she said drawing a hand across her mouth. At that Edith took to her heels and ran. She ran. She went straight up the back stairs. And along their passage into the deep room she shared with Kate. This girl was doing her hair before she went down to breakfast. She was at variance with Edith yet, which may have been why she did not turn round at first. But Edith's panting made her look. 'Why whatever...?' she began. 'There 'e was,' Edith broke out between gasps, 'I seen the hair of 'is 'ead, large as life, you could 'a' knocked me down with. a leaf,' she said. The what?' cried Kate arrested. 'A man,' Edith said. 'A I. R. A. man?' Kate asked, voice rising. 'The Captain,' Edith replied calmer, put a hand to her throat and swallowed. With obviously a great leap of her mind Kate got there. Tn your young lady's bed. Oh goody,' she shouted, at which both began to giggle helpless. 'Large as life,' one said, the other repeated, then the two of them giggled again. Tn her bed,' one said, the other echoed, and both shouted with laughter. 'All night?' shrieked Kate, and it seemed she forgot she had been at odds with Edith about Charley Raunce. 'All night,' Edith screamed back. Holding their sides they crowed with laughter. 'And 've you told old Mother Burch?' Kate asked when both were quieter. 'She seen him too,' Edith answered, as she dabbed the heel of her right hand at her eyes where these had been running. 'She did?' Kate echoed. 'She went in,' Edith called out with a high yell then fell back on the eiderdown and howled she laughed so much, faintly kicking with her legs. Kate began to gasp as if she could not get enough air to speak. 'She went in?' she asked. 'And d'you know - what she said?' Edith said choking. 'What's that?' 'When she come out,' Edith went on by fits and starts, 'oh you'll never guess - no love you couid never - oh I shall die - Katie it hurts my side - d'you know what she said?' - and by this time Kate as she stood in front of her was doubled up hands on knees in such shrieks that she was dribbling - 'she said' - and Edith fought to get the words out - 'oh she said why 'e's puttin' 'is shirt on.' At this Kate collapsed, fell back. Both girls howled. Between screeches Kate managed to get out, 'Take care I'll wet myself.' Edith calmed at once. 'Hush dear someone'll hear.' 'Just puttin' 'is shirt on,' Kate quoted sobering. 'That's what she said,' Edith answered. 'Well Edie I'd've given a week's wages to be there I would really. What did you do?' And at this Edith went into a long description of each thought she had and every step she took after so gently knocking on that bedroom. 'But then who was it dear?' Kate asked at last. 'Oh I never saw his face only the top of his head like I told you where he was going thin. It was the Captain make no mistake.' They giggled a bit more at this then Kate wanted to know if she had not asked old Aggie Burch. 'Hush Kate she'll hear,' Edith said, 'but if you'd seen her face you could never've questioned her.' 'Look I'll just sluice some cold water over me and then I'll get down to the 'all,' Kate answered. 'I wouldn't miss the look she'll be wearin' for nothing in the world, not for a 'ug from an old ugly bastard of a tinker even,' she said. 'An old ugly what? Why Kate Armstrong whatever are you saying?' 'Forget it dearie. There,' she said throwing her towel down, 'I'm off.' And Edith had to rush so as not to be left out below. But where Kate made straight to the servants' hall Edith struck right-handed for the pantry. She was in luck, Raunce was there yet. The moment she saw him she seemed overjoyed. With for her an altogether extraordinary animation she fairly danced up. He stood as though embarrassed, fumbling his nose, squinting. 'Why Charley,' she laughed, 'what d'you know?' 'Yes,' he said solemn. 'Well then isn't this a knock out?' she asked. 'An' it happened to me,' she added. 'After all these years.' 'Now steady on lass there's my lad Bert to consider.' 'Bert?' she asked. 'Why 'e's getting our breakfast or should be at this hour. Why what about him?' 'That lad ain't of an age yet,' Mr Raunce replied but he spoke as though in apology. She quietened down, stopped rocking backwards and forwards and ceased almost pushing her flushed face into his. 'Well aren't you glad?' she went on after a minute, 'for me I mean,' she mocked. 'I can't make you out at all,' he answered. 'Why there's all those stories you've had, openin' this door and seeing that when you were in a place in Dorset and lookin' through the bathroom window down in Wales an' suchlike oh I've heard you or Kate has and now it's come to me. Right a'bed they was next to one another. Stuff that in your old smelly pipe and smoke it.' She began once more to force her body on his notice, getting right up to him then away again, as though pretending to dance. Then she turned herself completely round in front of his very eyes. He seemed ill at ease. 'But how would you know it was me?' she asked suddenly stopping. 'Miss Burch,' he replied. 'It come as a big surprise. I didn't guess she'd have the sense of right and wrong to acquaint me. But I shouldn't pay attention to this mess up if I was you.' 'What d'you mean pay no attention?' she asked and she spoke angry. 'What they see fit to do is no concern of our own,' he said still watching her as if ashamed and surprisingly he yawned. 'You mean you're going to make nothing of it just because I found 'em? The Captain in Mrs Jack's bed?' She blushed, with anger perhaps. 'You're going to try and take that from me?' Take it from you how's that?' he asked. 'Take it away from me,' she repeated and her eyes filled beautifully with tears. 'Honey,' he said calling her this for the first time, 'you don't want to go and talk, see, or you'll likely lose your place?' 'Lose my place?' she echoed, 'I should worry in this lousy hole.' 'Without a reference,' he added, 'you mark what I say.' 'I should worry,' she repeated and for the moment looked as if she might burst out crying. He put on a grin. He looked appealing and upset. 'What they do is no concern of us,' he said again. 'And there's the National bloody Service Officer waitin' for you over on the other side.' 'Don't you swear at me of all people,' she answered. Turning on her heel she actually ran out in the direction of the servants' hall. Breakfast that morning took place at first in utter silence. Even Kate looked down her nose. Raunce fidgeted and often glanced quickly at Edith who was hurried in everything she did. But as for Miss Burch she could not eat anything at all hardly. Her hand shook so she spilled the tea from out her cup. Only Paddy behaved as usual, concentrated on his food. Before this meal was done Miss Burch hastened out by the scullery door. She passed through to the kitchen. But Mrs Welch sat adamant with little Albert and barely looked round to return Agatha's dark good morning. So Miss Burch went off to her room to be alone. Meantime Charley spoke up in the hall. There's someone got to take the breakfast tray,' he said. 'Oh I couldn't,' Edith said at once, 'I'd spill it on that bed.' It was for her to answer because it was her duty each morning. There'll need be two trays,' Kate put in sly. There will not,' Raunce replied his eyes on Bert, 'the other party left the Castle first thing by pedal bicycle,' he said. The Captain?' Bert asked, 'I seen 'im as I was doin' the brass.' It was probably instinct made the lad continue as he did. 'What room did he occupy then?' he enquired. 'Ah you may well ask boy,' Raunce answered solemn. At that Edith broke out with, 'I'm surprised at you Mr Raunce I am really, that you should make a mystery out of nothing.' She seemed furious and Kate watched avidly. 'Listen Bert,' Edith went on, 'the Captain 'e spent the night in my lady's bed next 'er, an' she was nude I saw, only they overslept the two of them as I know from when I went to open the room in the morning. And don't you let anyone tell you different because it was me found it and called Aggie Burch so there.' 'I'll bet they overslept,' Kate announced while Raunce's lad gaped at Edith. Raunce could not let this pass. 'That's enough thank you my gel,' he said, 'I'll thank you...' he was going on when a great braying laugh started out of the lamp-man. It swelled. It filled the room. Raunce said, 'Look what you've done,' and in his turn began to laugh. Kate joined in. So at last did Edith. These two girls did not giggle this time, they both deeply laughed. Only Bert was left as if embarrassed, twisting a fork over and over on the table. 'Why?' Raunce threw out at the first pause and in Nanny Swift's falsetto. 'All night? And in the same bed as well? Oh dear.' 'And I hope she enjoyed it there,' Kate pronounced, become serious. 'Now Kate!' Edith said starting to blush. Raunce watched. 'I got nothing against 'er,' Kate went on. 'She's all right she is.; Because it's not natural for a married woman with 'er 'usband away i' at the war. Not that Mr Jack ever was...' but at this Raunce interrupted loud. 'Now then,' he said, 'what d'you know about bein' a married woman?' 'Not that 'e ever was much to go on with,' Kate finished dogged. 'You can say what you please,' Edith replied scarlet and they could all see that she was truly angry still. 'But 'e tried to get me in a dark corner one morning just the same,' she said. 'E didn't,' Raunce broke out. 'Oh there's no call for you to fash yourself Mr Raunce, there was I no harm done nor offence taken if you're so keen to learn.' 'I'm sure it's no concern of mine,' he said and seemed on tenterhooks. 'Now you mention it I wouldn't say he'd never made a grab at me,' Kate brought out in a small voice. With great calmness Raunce commented, 'You surprise me.' 'You don't like to say he'd never but you never have said he did,' Edith cried and seemed to accuse. 'O. K. dear O. K. I know you found Mrs Jack and the Captain.' 'Of course I found 'em,' Edith remarked subsiding. 'Well now who's going to take her tray?' Raunce asked. Tell you what, I will.' 'But that would give 'er the idea you thought the Captain was up there yet,' Edith objected. 'Go on then I'll take the old tray,' Kate offered. 'Then she'll think I'm on to what she was doing last night,' said Edith. 'Well so she must if you did discover 'em.' 'All right dear I needs must then even if I should drop it,' Edith announced as she got up from table. She stood there and looked full at Raunce. 'It's not the job for a man, not this morning,' she said to him and went out. 'What d'you make of that Paddy?' Kate enquired but Raunce told her to shut her mouth with such sudden violence that she dropped her gimlet eyes. Then he went out to get the tray ready for Edith. So it was left to Edith to carry up that breakfast which she did as though nothing had occurred. She found the mistress sitting in bed wearing her best nightdress and bedjacket. She did not look at Edith but said at once, collected, 'I'm going over to England by the night boat. Would you tell Raunce to get on the phone and reserve a cabin if he can? And ask the Nanny if she would come along to see me now?' To-day Madam?' 'Yes to-night I think. Not the day after to-morrow any longer. I've changed my plans.' 'Very good Madam.' As Edith came into the passage outside and shut the door she found Miss Burch waiting white-lipped. This woman asked almost under her breath, 'Were you all right dear?' 'I was O. K.,' Edith whispered back. And then. 'She's leavin' tonight instead.' 'With him d'you wonder?' 'Oh no,' Edith replied serious, 'it stands out a mile she can't bring herself to face me. That's why.' There was nothing between the Captain and you was there my girl?' 'Are you crazy?' Edith broke out loud. Hearing this from inside the room Mrs Jack cowered, put a trembling hand over her lips, and pushed the tray to one side. 'Can you beat that?' Edith asked violent. 'Hush dear,' Miss Burch whispered. 'Very well then. We'll never mention what you saw again. You see I trust you. Never, you understand me?' 'Yes Miss Burch,' Edith replied. From her tone she was calming down. But as she went off to find the nanny she said to herself over and over, 'now would you believe it?' By the time she had got to the nursery she was repeating way down her throat, 'that's how they are at their age, they go funny.' And she gave Miss Swift the message as though to an enemy. This very moment?' this woman asked frantic. That's what she said.' 'Of all the times? And in the morning too? Then you'll oblige me by watching 'em till I'm back or they'll go dropping each other out to their deaths.' While the nanny patted her hair, wiped her face with a handkerchief and then, after hesitating, was gone, Edith stood slack at one of the high windows and did not seem to see those bluebells already coming up between wind-stunted beeches which grew out of the Grove onto that part of the lawn till their tops were level with her eyes. Also there was a rainbow from the sun on a shower blowing in from the sea but you could safely say she took no notice. Nor paid heed to the shrieks next door of two little girls at a game. Miss Swift had been Mrs Jack's nanny when this lady was a tiny tot so she addressed her as Miss Violet. When told of the journey which had been put forward Miss Swift did not beat about the bush. She said roundly there was one thing poor old nanny felt to the heart and that was forgetfulness. For this day was to have been her afternoon out. If Miss Violet was going who was there left to look after the children when nobody cared? Or would silly old nanny have to go to the wall? 'How could you when I'm not feeling well?' was Mrs Jack's answer, delivered in a little girl's whining voice and she added, 'Edith can look after them perfectly.' Then who's to pack for you? Not me with my back Miss Violet.' 'I'd never thought. But if I asked Agatha nicely?' 'You're pale Miss Violet, you want a pill,' was Miss Swift's answer. 'Want a pill?' and the young woman spoke sharp now as if to ask what was behind this. 'When you're that colour it means you're constipated. Even if you don't know I should who cared for you from the start. Right pale. You lie there. I won't be a minute.' Mrs Jack possibly knew better than to argue. 'Tell Agatha I want her then,' was all she said. Miss Swift came across Miss Burch at once. Agatha might almost have been said to be on guard in that Long Passage. 'She wants you in there,' Miss Swift told her barely civil. 'Me?' Miss Burch enquired, 'what for?' 'I couldn't say,' Miss Swift replied, 'I don't meddle in other's business.' 'Well I'm not going,' Miss Burch announced. 'Not again. Wild horses couldn't.' 'What's come over you?' Miss Swift asked coming to a halt some distance up the passage. 'First I get impertinence from one of your girls which I don't pay attention to because I know how it is at their age always worriting over men and now you cast Miss Violet in my face. What's this?' 'I don't mind what you tell her you can please yourself but I'm not going in,' and Miss Burch added under her breath, 'And I could tell you something about your lily would make you say poor me but I won't.' That's nice I must say,' Miss Swift in her innocence replied. 'You draw your monthly wage yet you're gettin' like your girls, you want this and that besides." 'You can leave my girls out of your conversation thanking you Miss Swift. They have more to put up with than you'll ever learn I hope.' 'Now you're being nothing but ridiculous. Poor nanny,' Miss Swift added and her face seemed to wrinkle as though about to cast a skin. 'No thank you,' Miss Burch said inconsequent and turned her back. The nanny appeared to take hold of herself. She started on her way once more. 'I don't know I'm sure,' she said over her shoulder, making off to the medicine cupboard. She left Miss Burch outside that bedroom door but when she was back with a glass of water and a flat box in her hands, she found Miss Burch inside saying, 'yes Madam, no Madam,' at the side of the bed after all, plainly ill at ease yet taking instructions about what and about what not to pack. But Agatha did not seem able to keep her eyes from those other pillows on Mrs Jack's double bed. These had been well beaten and the clothes were pulled up smooth over where that man's body must have lain yet she stared on and off. It must have been she could not help herself. Until the young lady told her to go as soon as she had so to speak been reinforced by Miss Swift's return. And Agatha left with a stiff back. Once she was gone, 'Now take a sip and swallow it right down,' the nanny said as she bustled. Then added, 'It's liver that's what it is dear. They won't trouble to give themselves a walk to loosen the bowels. They get fat on your food and cups of tea and with leaning on their brooms.' 'Who do?' Mrs Jack asked. She was probably unsure of everything and everyone. 'Why those that's paid to keep the Castle fit for us to live in,' the nanny replied. 'Oh I'm tired. Your little girl's not slept well,' Mrs Jack broke out. 'Now isn't that a shame? You just lie back and let that pill do its duty. I'll tell your angels you'll be wanting them around midday. You go on as your old nanny says and you'll have clear cheeks for the young man.' On this she left. The lady fell back as though exhausted. But her breakfast tray was bare. She must have found strength in between to eat it all. 'Well I've got to take those little draggers out this afternoon,' Edith announced at dinner the same day. 'It's not fair I tell you.' 'Hey?' Raunce asked at his most serious, 'and you who has always made a point they were your favourites?' 'How's the work goin' to be finished? I'll ask you that,' she said quoting Miss Burch. 'You're the one to talk when you're not going to do none,' Kate put in. 'There'll be all the more for me tomorrer then,' was Edith's answer. 'You're not a girl to take on another's share and there's no reason why you should.' 'Now then that's plenty,' Miss Burch appealed to both. 'But there's a thing I won't do,' Edith went on in a lower tone, obstinately. 'Mrs Welch's Albert. Now I won't take 'im with them.' 'Be quiet both of you please. Oh my poor head. I've got a sick headache,' Miss Burch explained to Charley Raunce at which Kate muttered, 'I wasn't sayin' nothin'.' 'Look,' Charley announced at Edith, 'if you choose I'll come along.' 'Well that's a real step forward,' Miss Burch said looking kindly. Then she added as though unable to help herself, 'It should do you a mort of good.' In spite of the differences grown fast as mushrooms and their bad temper on this day of days, Kate and Edith glanced at each other, a waste of giggling beginning behind their eyes. 'A turn in the air might be just what your sick headache needs,' he offered still at his most courteous to Miss Burch. 'Me?' she asked, 'and with all the packin' still to be done? A aspirin is all I shall get of fresh air this afternoon.' 'Well Edith could see to that while you took the children out,' Kate said. Her little eyes sparkled. 'Why you could never expect Miss Burch to go trail after them children when she feels the way she does, with God knows what Mrs Welch's kid will get up to,' Raunce said. 'About half past two then,' he went on to Edith, speaking rather fast. I'llbe in my room.' Kate started to choke, Edith to blush. Miss Burch did not appear to notice. 'I think I'll go lie down for ten minutes,' she informed those present. And Edith got out of Kate's sight by rising to follow her to ask if she would care for a cup of tea. Outside, at a quarter to three, they both wore raincoats and Charley had his bowler hat. As the little girls raced about behind, Charley bent down, picked up two peacock's feathers which he offered to Edith. 'Whatever should I do with those?' she asked low. 'You wore one the week of the funeral,' he replied. 'Not now,' she said. They walked on with a space between. 'What's happened to all those blessed birds anyway?' he asked in a tired voice. 'It's the rain,' she answered. They don't like wet.' There was a silence. 'Tell you where they'd be then,' he began again. 'Away in the stable back of Paddy's room.' She made no comment. 'Should we go in that direction?' 'Not now,' she said. 'If you liked I could find you some eggs? I know where they lay.' She laughed. 'Oh no thanks all the same. That kind's no use,' and crossed her fingers in the raincoat pocket, against this lie perhaps. 'What kind then?' he asked. 'Oh I couldn't say,' she said. 'I get you,' he answered in a doubtful voice. Once more they both fell silent. Meantime Kate had slipped out to the lampman's where he kept corn for his peacocks. Paddy was awake. He showed no surprise when she entered. 'I wasn't goin' to carry on when nobody else was workin',' she announced. He sat where he was and grunted. 'Not your baby,' she said, wandering about to inspect this and that. She seemed familiar with the place. It was certainly not the first time she had been alone with him. 'What this old dump needs is a good scrub out,' she said, 'only you're too Irish to give it.' He spoke then. He spoke in English and quite free although his accent was such you could take a file to it. But she must have understood. 'Not me,' she replied. 'What d'you take me for? You do your own chores for yourself thanks. I don't want none.' He laughed. His mouth was fringed with great brown teeth. His light eyes shone through the grey hair over them. 'Look at you,' she said coming up slow, swinging her hips. 'Have you got no pride?' He laughed again but sat quiet. She turned away saying, 'Where did you put it then?' She made a search amongst oddments overlaid with dust upon a thick shelf. He followed with his eyes and did not turn his head. As a result for a full minute one pupil was swivelled almost back of the nose he had on him whilst the other was nearly behind a temple but he grinned the while. Then she turned up a dog's comb of tinned iron. She blew on this to dust it. Lifting the piece of broken mirror glass off a wall from between four nails which held it at the edges she said, 'Take a load of yourself while I do yer.' Standing at the back of him she began to comb his head. She worked like a simple woman that rakes a beanfield and jerked his head back with each pull. As the hair on his forehead was lifted it uncovered a line of dirt, a tidemark, along where the laid beans of his hair started grey and black. He tilted the glass he held to watch. 'Heed yerself and the state you're in,' she said. 'Give over watchin' me.' He muttered something. For once she could not have understood. 'Say that again,' she asked. He spoke rapid for about thirty seconds after placing the bit of mirror between his knees. He turned to face her. 'Well that's your look out,' she answered when he was done. Kate's arms lay along her purple uniformed sides. He smelled of peat smoke and she of carbolic. She added in a softer voice, 'You want to find one of your Irish women as'll see to you.' He put out a paw like to sugar cake. 'No you don't,' she cried sharp and dodged back. 'What's more if you can't sit there quiet as gold I'll get me gone. I've got my share to do back in the Castle.' He muttered. He faced the way he had been, picked up the glass again. 'That's right,' she said, 'though lord knows this is good labour wasted,' and began on his head once more. Then she started to talk almost as though to herself. 'E's out, out in the air for a walk Mr Charley Raunce is, the first time since nobody can remember. Ah but she's deep our Edith, deep as the lake there. "Will I take the little angels out bless their little white hearts, sweetheart come too, along for the stroll." And if you don't believe you've only to risk a peek outside. Takin' 'is death he is. Round by the doves at the back I'll lay they are Paddy, billing an' all the rest. What d'you say to that you Irishman? Or they're over by the water. But what've you been at with your glory since I done it for you last? 'Ere,' she said, 'clear the combings off for yourself,' she said handing the comb back to him, 'I never made out I'd free the strakes for you into the bargain.' Once her hands were disengaged she put these up to reroll her curls but halted before she touched. Then she sniffed at her fingers. 'Christ,' she said, 'what we girls have to put up with.' Then she added, 'You might give us a break and wash it occasionally.' He said something. 'You got nowhere you mean?' she replied. 'Well I don't wonder they won't let you be free with their sink I must say. You've only to look at you. But what's wrong with a clean bucket? When Charley's little Bert has a mind to 'is boiler the water's O. K.,' she said and took the comb back. This time she began about his right ear. I'll give you a roll just 'ere exactly like the Captain. Oh the Captain,' and she laughed. Paddy's enormous head began to show signs of order with parts of the tangle, which might have been laid by hail, starting to stand once more wildly on its own on his black beanfield of hair after a ground frost. 'But lord,' she remarked, 'whatever would my mother say to you Tarzan?' 'Look,' she announced, 'I'm fed up. You take hold and finish,' she told him handing back that comb. 'I'm fed up with you,' Mrs Welch said to her Albert at this precise moment as she sat him down at the kitchen table. 'So she wouldn't take you eh? Expect me to believe that eh?' She watched the boy with what appeared to be disfavour. 'That's what she said'm.' 'What did she say then?' 'When she come in the nursery I was like you said. I 'ad my coat zipped up and me 'at in me pocket. "No," she said, "not you Albert my little man, you go down in the kitchen," she says an' she give me a bit of toffee out of a bag.' 'Where is it?' 'I've ate it.' 'Is it in your pocket this minute along with your hat?' 'No'm.' 'Let me see if you're tellin' lies.' And Mrs Welch clambered to her feet, leaned right over that table. She felt in his coat. 'Is this it?' she asked bringing the thing out, a toffee in a screw of paper. She gingerly lowered herself back while she held this sweet out at arm's length, resting her bare arm along the table top. He made no reply. 'You wouldn't lie to me would yer?' she asked. 'No'm.' Then is this what she give you?' He kept silent. 'You see what I'm goin' to do with this,' she went on, and unwrapped the sweet. Then she spat on it and threw the toffee into a can of ashes by the range. 'Now listen,' she continued, 'if ever I catch you taking what she offers I'll tan the 'ide right off you d'you h'understand?' 'Yes'm.' 'For why? Because she's a nasty little piece that considers we're not good enough for 'er, and very likely a thief into the bargain. With her precious Miss Moira this and little Miss Evelyn that. Never again no more. Right?' 'Yes'm.' 'And what are you goin' to do with yerself this afternoon of springtime that you can't go h'out with the others? I'll tell you. You're goin' to set to work my lad.' The boy who had been gazing at the floor suddenly stared at her sharp. 'Yes,' she said, 'that comes as a bit of a surprise d'ain't it? Never you mind. You got to start some day. You won't always be runnin' around with gentry and their stuck-up maids. Now you see that saucepan, the one which's last on the left?' He looked reluctant at three burnished rows hanging on the dresser, on nails through the holes in their steel handles. That's right,' she went on, 'the last on the left. You'll take that down so help me and you'll make a start scourin'. The young leddy was took faint. Took faint," she repeated giving a short laugh as Kale had done. 'Yes. One time she was out with Mrs Tennant. "It's the pots and pans," Mrs T. says to me after. "You'll oblige me by casting a look on them Madam," I said. "I can't help it Mrs Welch," she says, "I'm certain there was something in that sole or its sauce." Sauce indeed. But she never listened. So now you're going to make a start scourin' them saucepans. Even if you bring all the tin off and they get copper poison. Get on then.' The boy got up slow. 'And don't you go break that thread I've 'ad put through the handles,' she cried frantic all of a sudden. 'You'll find where it's tied there by the side. I'm gettin' me chains and a padlock,' she explained grim as grim. Kate had left the comb stuck at an angle in Paddy's head. The lampman sat where he was on a corn bin while she wandered round again. She came up to that glass division and looked through. 'Can a person eat them eggs?' she asked. He answered excitedly. 'That's all right,' she said. 'No need to get worked up. I only asked didn't I?' He muttered something. 'Oh all right I know you set great store by the birds,' she replied, 'an' if you took one half the trouble over yourself as you do with their layin' why you'd be a different person altogether,' she explained. He got up, made after her. 'No,' she said, 'no,' but she did not move as he came grinning. He reached round her middle and drank her in a kiss like a man home after a journey. He pressed her back against the glass that fronted that huge cabinet. Through the opening behind could be seen those peacocks getting up with a sort of cluttering as though alarmed. She sank into him as her knees gave way yet both of them stayed decent. Out in the demesne Raunce said to Edith, 'I got to sit me down.' 'You got to sit down?' she echoed as he looked dull about him. 'I've come over queer,' he said. Indeed his face was now the colour of the pantry boy Albert's. 'Why you're not goin' to faint right off like I did surely,' she exclaimed and clucked with concern. 'Sit yourself on this stone,' she said, 'it's dry for one thing.' He sat. He put his new terrible face into his hands. They stayed silent. The two children came up, stood and watched him. 'Run along,' she told them gentle. 'Go find Michael.' When they were alone Raunce spoke. 'It must be the air,' he said. She stood awkward at his side as though she could not think what to do. Then she said, 'If we were inside I could fetch you a cup of tea.' She talked soft with concern. He groaned. 'It's me dyspepsia,' he said. 'It's coming away in the air 'as done it.' 'But you do go out,' she replied low, 'I saw you when we were by the doves that dinner time.' 'That was only for a minute,' was his answer. 'But this long stretch...' and he ended his sentence with a groan. By and by however he grew better while she stood helpless at his bowed shoulders. After a time he got up. Then they summoned the little girls, tenderly made their way back to the Castle. 'You should take more care,' she kept on repeating. It was some days later they sat in the servants' hall talking with dread of the I. R. A. They were on their own now, with the lady and her daughter still over in England, and the feeling they had was that they stood in worse danger than ever. Kate asked the lampman if he had heard any rumours. Paddy gabbled an answer. As he did so he did not meet their eyes in this low room of antlered heads along the walls, his back to the sideboard with red swans. Raunce's neck was tied up in a white silk scarf of Mr Jack's. He seemed to turn his head with difficulty to ask Kate what the Irishman had said. 'He says not to believe all you're told.' 'I don't,' Raunce put in at once. 'And that they're not so busy by half as what they was,' Kate ended. Edith anxiously regarded her Charley. 'I should hope not indeed,' Miss Burch informed the company. Though I will say for Mrs Welch she was dead right when she forbade her girls passing the time of day with those tradesmen. Just in case,' she added. 'And what about their afternoons off?' Mr Raunce enquired. 'What I always insist is that if you can't trust your girls,' Miss Burch replied, 'you might as soon give in your notice and go find yourself another place.' She turned to Edith. 'Now you never speak to none of the natives when you get outside?' 'Oh no Miss Burch,' they both replied, mum about Patrick with his fine set of teeth. That's right,' Raunce told them. 'You can't be too careful. There's a war on,' he said. 'Are you in a draught?' Edith asked him tenderly. 'You don't want to take risks.' And Kate looked as though she might start a giggle any minute. 'There is a draught,' Raunce answered grave. There's a draught in every corner of this room which is a danger to sit in.' 'Move over to the other side then,' Miss Burch suggested. 'Thank you,' he said, 'but it's the same whichever side you are. I don't know,' he went on, 'but with them away now I feel responsible.' 'And what about the Jerries?' Kate put in suddenly. 'What if they come over tell me that?' 'Kate Armstrong,' Edith cried, 'why I asked you that selfsame question not so long since and you said they were ordinary working folk same as us so wouldn't offer no incivilities.' 'And I'm not saying they would,' Kate answered, 'not that sort and kind. But it might go hard for a young girl in the first week perhaps.' 'Mercy on us you don't want to talk like that,' Miss Burch said. 'You think of nothing but men, there's the trouble. Though if it did happen it would naturally be the same for the older women. They're famished like a lion out in the desert them fighting men,' she announced. 'For land's sake,' Edith began but Paddy started to mouth something. It was so seldom he spoke at meals that all listened. 'What's he say?' Raunce asked when the lampman was done. 'He reckons the I. R. A. would see to the Jerries,' Kate translated. 'Holy smoke but he'll be getting me annoyed in a minute. First he says there aren't none then 'e pretends they can sort out a panzer division. What with? Bows and arrows?' Paddy muttered a bit. 'He says,' and Kate gave a laugh, 'they got more'n pikes like those Home Guard over at home.' 'If you can snigger at that you would laugh over anything my gel,' Raunce announced with signs of temper. 'Why you've only to go down in Kinalty and see yourself. Every other house burned right out. Once they got started they'd be so occupied fightin' each other they'd never notice Jerry was in the hamlet even.' Paddy gave a great braying laugh. 'Laugh?' Raunce shouted and sprang up. All except for Miss Burch wilted and his lad's jaw dropped. 'You would would you?' he went on but the lampman had returned to wooden silence and Raunce subsided back into his seat again. 'Well,' he went on, 'if it should ever come to it there's guns and ammo in the gunroom.' Edith gave a cry and Kate looked serious. But Miss Burch displayed impatience. 'Whatever's come over you?' she asked. 'You're never thinking you could knock down one of the Mark something tanks as you would a rabbit with one of those shot guns they've got locked up here,' she said. 'What I had in mind was a cartridge each for you ladies,' he replied in a low voice. Utterly serious he was. 'Would you spare one for Mrs Welch?' Miss Burch enquired tart and Kate let out a yell of laughter. Edith laughed also and after a minute Raunce himself joined in shamefaced. Paddy stayed impassive. 'You want to go delicate you know,' Miss Burch went on, 'you've no game licence.' 'You mean you wouldn't hesitate...?' Edith began to ask him seriously but Charley interrupted her. 'I'd like to see 'em up in Dublin issue a permit over Mrs Welch as they do with the salmon trout,' he said to Miss Burch. At this they all laughed once more when Kate broke in with, 'Speakin' for myself I'd rather have the Jerry.' 'Under 'er bed,' Raunce made comment and even Miss Burch tee-hee'd wholehearted. There's the telephone,' Raunce announced. Bert got up to answer it away in the pantry. Miss Burch fixed a stern eye on Kate so much as to say a minute or so ago just now you were about to be actually coarse. 'Well I don't aim to be shot dead. On no account I don't.' the girl explained. There's worse things than death my girl,' Miss Burch repeated. 'As anyone can tell you who remembers the last war.' 'I saw in the papers they behave themselves most correct towards the French people,' Edith said, still looking at Charley. 'What can you believe in these Irish rags?' Raunce asked. 'Well, there's one thing,' Miss Burch told him, 'they're neutral enough, they print what both sides say against one another.' 'Ah,' said Raunce, 'that's nothing but propaganda these days. It's human nature you've got to keep count of. Why it stands to reason with an invadin' army...' he was going on as Edith watched him open eyed when Albert came back. 'It was a wire for you,' he said to Raunce. 'Where is it then?' this man asked. 'Well there ain't no telegram,' was the answer he got. They read it out over the phone.' 'Ow many times have I told you never to take nothin' over that instrument without you write it down,' Raunce demanded in rising tones. 'Why I remember once at a place I was in, that very thing occasioned the death of a certain Mrs Harris. There you are. Killed her it did as if she had been blown in smithereens with a shotgun.' 'Go on,' the boy said respectful. 'Don't give me no go ons,' Raunce almost shouted at him. 'D'you know what you're about?' 'Yes Mr Raunce.' 'All right then.' The authority Raunce seemed to have acquired since Mr Eldon's death must have impressed them all. Even Kate gave him earnest attention. 'Now,' he went on, 'take your time. Don't rush it. What did the thing say?' 'Staying on for a few days Tennant, Mr Raunce.' 'Ho,' said Raunce, 'stayin' on a few days eh? That would be Mrs Tennant then. Mrs Jack she signs herself different. Staying over eh? Leavin' us to face the music that's about the long and short of it.' 'D'you consider there's something likely to occur then?' Edith asked. 'I feel responsible,' he replied. 'For two pins I'd give in my notice,' Kate told them. 'How would you do that?' Edith enquired, 'when they aren't here?' 'Why I'd send it by post or I'd put it on a post card if I was in the mood,' the girl answered and there was a pause. 'I'm game if you are Edie,' Kate added, giving Edith a look that seemed highly inquisitive. But long before she could get an answer Charley was speaking, had so to speak thrown himself into a breach to stop the rot. 'Here,' he cried, 'what's all this, tell me that, what is it? I know the name it could be given, runnin' away, that's two words for it make no mistake. We're British aren't we? Turn tail and flee?' he asked in a loud voice. He glanced in menacing fashion at the lamp-man. 'Is it running away to get back to your own country to lend a hand?' Miss Burch enquired almost with amusement. 'And block the roads getting there?' Raunce asked. 'Why certainly,' she said, 'and block the roads, why not? If it's in the path of the enemy,' she said. 'But suppose they wished to evacuate the Governor General? Or the gold in the Bank of Ireland?' Raunce objected. Paddy murmured something. 'There 'e goes again,' Raunce said and looked at Kate. 'What is it this time?' 'He says the Governor General is an Irishman an' would never go to England.' That's a bloody lie,' Raunce announced with finality. 'There's always been a Britisher in that job. Excuse me,' he added to Miss Burch, 'I seem to have forgot myself. Well what d'you know?' he went on. There's that telephone again.' Bert left the room. This time they kept uneasy silence till he returned. 'Well?' Charley asked the lad when he got back. He was handed a scrap of paper. He examined it. 'I can't read this,' he said. 'You should write down the messages neatly on a proper bit of paper,' Miss Burch told Albert. Raunce sat staring at what he held. There's times I despair of you my lad,' he moaned. Kate winked at Albert. 'Well come on, don't stand there dumb,' Charley went on, 'I can tell it's from Mrs Jack an' that's all.' 'Not returning for few days Violet Tennant,' the lad recited. A silence fell over them once more. Then Kate saw fit to comment with what seemed like satisfaction, 'And that's the last we shall see or even 'ear of her if you ask me.' 'Why Kate,' Edith said, 'I never heard such a thing.' 'It was uncalled for,' Miss Burch pronounced, 'and what's more I don't wish another word spoken,' she added very grim. Silence fell yet again. At last Raunce broke the spell. 'Left all on our own,' he said with genuine emotion, seeming to ignore the others. 'How do you like that?'