Loving - Henry Green [62]
Then h had the last word. 'But get this. We're not paying,' he said and went. 'Wait till 'e's gone,' Raunce warned the others. And Mike Mathewson drove off quick. As soon as the car had cleared the ha-ha Raunce rounded on Albert. He was shouting in passion, dead white with a wild squint. 'So you got it,' he yelled, 'you got what? I got it,' he shrieked in falsetto. 'And you can have at that. 'Ere you are then 'and over.' He came at Albert who seemed paralysed. 'Where is it then?' he cried like an epileptic as he shook him. 'Where is it?' Albert's head swung back and forth, his yellow shock of hair flopping. But the lad kept silent. 'That's enough Charley,' Edith said. 'He's never had it.' 'But 'e might 'ave,' Raunce answered desisting. His rages never lasted. ' 'E's capable of anything that lad is. Why there was none spoke to 'im. I don't suppose there was one of us in this room remembered 'is presence. An' then what must 'e go an' do. Why bless my soul if 'e doesn't feel the need to sing out 'e's got the miserable object. Holy Moses,' Charley ended, apparently in better humour. 'But that was smart of you love to think that one up. It was you had the idea all right. Now don't start snivellin',' he said to Albert who began to cry in the painful way boys do when they are too old for tears. 'Charley,' she said, 'what did that mean when 'e said his company wouldn't even pay.' Mr Raunce explained. Albert's sobs grew louder but they paid no attention. 'Then that's awkward Charley. I mean it may come back on Mrs Tennant.' 'Well she's lost so much, girl, I shouldn't wonder if the Insurance Company would never take her on a second time. Once one refuses her I don't suppose she'll get any to insure her jewellery again. That's the way it goes.' 'Yes but look here then that's serious that is Charley.' 'Serious you bet the thing is serious,' he replied. 'But you wait until I get this lad of mine to meself. Just give me two minutes alone with him.' 'Oh him,' she said indifferent, 'don't trouble your mind over him.' 'And why wouldn't I when 'e knows? My God what an afternoon.' 'He never took it,' she told him without so much as a glance at Albert. 'He did what he done for me. He thought that inspector was makin' out I'd had it.' 'He what?' 'He was,' she said. Albert sobbed suddenly unrestrained as though somehow he had come unstoppered. 'You don't understand these things, I do,' she said. Then she bent down. Before Raunce's eyes she kissed the lad's cheek. 'There, thanks kid,' she said. But Albert, not looking, made a move to strike her away without however hitting her. 'Did you see what 'e done then?' Raunce asked low. 'I'll learn 'im.' 'Let him be dearest,' she advised and the boy ran out. Raunce shut the door Albert had left open. 'Well I don't know,' he began, taking her by the shoulders. She looked into his face. 'The dirty tyke,' he said. 'But we got to find it.' 'All right,' she replied, 'an' I'm goin' to start with my Miss Moira. You go off, I'll handle this best alone. And don't you lay hands on that Albert. It's the other I have my suspicions of,' she ended. When Raunce was gone she went to the window. She called the child. The little girl came running, stood moist in the sun before Edith. 'Where've you been Miss Moira?' She asked sweet. 'Why out by the dovecote Edith.' 'Look at you then,' Edith scolded gently and squatted down. 'Just see the state you're in. You'll be landin' me in such trouble if you don't take good care when your grandma gets back.' 'Is grandma coming?' 'She is that,' Edith said smiling as she began to clear up the child's glowing face with her own grubby handkerchief. 'Is mummy too?' 'I couldn't say love. Whatever've you been at to get in such a state?' 'I hope mummy doesn't come.' 'Hark at you,' Edith said letting it go. 'I do. 'Cos that Captain Davenport will be over all the time when she does.' 'Hush dear,' Edith said sharp, 'someone'll hear. And you shouldn't mention such a thing even to your own Edith.' 'I don't like him.' 'It's not for us to like or not like. You're too little.' 'Darling Edith why are