The Ginger Man - J. P. Donleavy [109]
"The very thing."
"Behind the door. The only dignified thing I possess these days."
"O handsome shirt. The cut is everything. Some day, Parnell, we must hear more of this nick. B. Berry maintains three years in the Borstal good as four at Harrow. What have these British prisons?"
"Ten years lose some of the advantages."
"Inclined to believe that a bit long even for the Ph. D. O I say, rather fine shirt this. How do I look? I think it suits me. Now a little something for under the pits. Must have something for the pits. Must be no odor of body."
"Danger go out in the hall and slip in the second door on the left. Landlady's bedroom. Might be a little something for the pits."
Dangerfield returns.
"Very nice. I've always been partial to the fragrance as opposed to the unfragrant."
MacDoon propped and prostrate on the bed.
"Danger do I see a woman of blackberry stained lips, raven hair and haughty teeth? Do I?"
"Gentlemen, in due time. In due time there will be an announcement"
He stepped out in the cold twilight along this road with the triangular park. Nice room Parnell has in this pleasant street Now any one of these houses would do for me. Mary wash the windows and sweep out the path and make me ould porridge of a morning. Import sausages from the Pembroke Road in the Dub. She's stuck by me. Trusted me. And if there's one thing it's faith. I'd even suffer the igno for faith. And whatever else, I've got to see her right. I know they think me hard because I've not shed the tears over the death. But I'm not There's just nothing I can do. Well Marion. Now you know but you were too fast. That's the trouble with people, too fast. Don't wait, see you down and think you're going to stay there, might even use the heel on you. But what ho, as I've said, no bitterness in me. Nothing like that in my heart any more. Marion will find out soon enough. Little note to the solicitor and perhaps we will see a little investment here and there. Small and conservative at first
Down into the Underground. Standing on the platform with a few afternoon people going somewhere. The glassy, smooth train parks neatly. Stepping in and gliding away. I am told whatever else I do in this fantastic Underground, to stay off the Circle Line.
He walked along the windy tunnels. Up and out into this vast station. Throngs. Where is she? I'm late. Track seven. Watch for an Irish face. I couldn't have forgotten what she looks like. Spot me anywhere because I look Victorian from behind. Must greet her with gladness.
In a black coat she came shyly down the platform bent with a large leather bag, biting her lips.
"Hello, Mary."
"Hello, I thought you might not come."
"Not a bit By God you've lost weight Have you been ill?"
"I'm all right I wasn't well for a while."
"Give me the bag. Good Christ what have you got in it? Rocks ?"
"I brought some things to cook with and some plates. And part of a sewing machine. I hope you don't mind?"
"Excellent. Not a bit. We'll check it. I think those are the things we want these days. Now we go over here and take care of this."
Dangerfield led her out of the station. And turned her around to see the building. Take a tour by Danger. See up there and the big pillars. That's architecture.
"Now what do you think of that Mary? What about that?"
"I don't know what to say. I suppose it's nice."
"It's the size Mary, the size. And who paid for it. But we'll go along here now and find a nice restaurant"
"I brought twenty pounds."
"Wow."
Into the warm room with tables along the wall. Danger-field told the boy to bring a little something from the château and a chicken and cheroot too.
"Isn't this expensive, Sebastian?"
"He, eeeeee."
"Why do you laugh?"
"Because the word expensive is no longer in my vocabulary. No longer in use. I think I can safely say that"
"Why?"
"Later on, Mary. Later on for that"
"Well tell me what you've been doing. You look thin. And nothing of mine fits me and I've had to alter this old black dress. I got so worried when I was ill because you didn't write."
"Give me your hand, Mary."