Loving - Henry Green [14]
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