Loving - Henry Green [6]
this or that. No, all I had in mind was the lad. It's his first place and he's a good obliging boy.' 'I'm not saying he's not.' 'Then you don't deny it,' Raunce said on a rising tone. 'Deny what?' she replied. 'I'm denying nobody.' 'That's O. K. Miss Burch. It was only to make certain I understood like any man has a right. I may have misinterpreted. For if you must know it upset me to see that lad of mine Albert carry me my tea.' 'That was what he always used to do surely.' 'Yes, in Mr Eldon's day that's the way it used to be every morning,' Raunce admitted. Then he went on, 'But one of the girls always brought the old man's.' 'And now I suppose you won't be satisfied unless one of my girls brings you yours,' Miss Burch said with surprising bitterness. 'And I don't doubt she must be Kate,' she added. 'I can't seem to follow you,' he said. 'You can't? I'll ask you this then. How's the work to get done of a morning?' 'Well same as it always has I presume.' 'Now then,' she said taking up this last remark. She drew a great breath and was about to loose it probably in a storm of angry sentences when Mrs T. entered. The passage carpet was so thick you never could hear anyone coming. 'Oh Raunce,' she said using his new title for the second time, 'I've just come from nanny. Such a nuisance. I don't really know what we can do. Of course the children must come first but I'm sure everyone is doing their best. We shall simply all have to put our heads together.' At this point Miss Burch left. Her back was stiff. She seemed indignant. Mrs T. watched her go with no change in expression. Then turned back to Charley. 'Raunce,' she said, 'surely you aren't proposing to put that pink blotting paper in the Gold Bedroom.' 'This is the only shade they could send us Madam.' She walked away and tried the mantelpiece with her finger which she then examined as though it was going to smell. He cleared his throat. Having established there was no dust she rearranged the peacock's feathers that for years had stood in a famille rose vase which was as always on a woollen scarlet mat in the centre. 'You write to London for the blotting paper of course?' 'Yes Madam but this is all Mr Eldon could get. I believe he was going to speak about it.' 'No, he never did,' she said, 'and naturally it would be hopeless trying to buy anything in this wretched country. But tell me why if there are several pastel blues can they do only one shade of pink?' 'I believe it's the war Madam.' She laughed and faced him. 'Oh yes the shops will be using that as an excuse for everything soon. Mind I'm not blaming anyone,' she said, 'but it's going to be hopeless. Now Raunce I'm so very worried about these nursery meals.' 'Yes Madam.' She began to smile, as though pleading with him. 'I want your help. Everyone is being so very awkward. Nanny has complained that the food is quite cold by the time it gets to the nursery and Mrs Welch tells me it leaves the kitchen piping hot so what am I to believe?' They looked long at each other. At last he smiled. 'I'm sure Albert carries the meals up soon as ever they are served,' he said. 'But if it would be of any assistance Madam I'll take them up myself for the next few days.' 'Oh thank you Raunce, yes that is good of you. Now I promised Michael I would go along, why was it he wanted me? Yes well that will be all.' She started off to the head gardener. She did not get far. Miss Burch stopped her in the Long Passage. 'Could I speak to you for a moment Madam?' 'Yes Agatha?' Before going on Miss Burch waited until Raunce, who was leaving Mrs Jack's room, should be out of earshot. 'It's Kate Madam. I wouldn't bother you Madam only it does seem not right to me that a slip of a girl can take him his tea first thing while he lies in bed there.' 'Whose tea good heavens?' 'Arthur Madam.' 'We must call him Raunce now Agatha. It does sound absurd I know. What's more I don't like that name.' Her voice had taken a teasing note. 'I think we shall have to change it don't you?' 'And he would not go to the funeral. He even boasts about it Madam.' 'Well we