Loving - Henry Green [27]
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,