Loving - Henry Green [33]
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