Loving - Henry Green [68]
opposite auntie. 'Not with that Edith?' she enquired sharp. 'Oh no'm.' 'You're positive?' and Mrs Welch leant across. 'For you know what I told you?' 'Yes'm.' 'What was that then?' 'That I weren't to have nothing more to do with 'er ever,' the boy repeated. 'That's right,' Mrs Welch rejoined. She leant back again and left her arms straight out from her bosom resting on closed fists upon the kitchen table. Her dark hair straggled across her face. 'You wouldn't lie to me?' she asked. 'Oh no'm.' 'Because I daren't abandon this kitchen day or night, not till I go to me bed when day is done that is and then I double lock the door. On guard I am,' she announced in a loud voice. 'Because that Edith's no more'n a thief I tell you an' my girls are hand in glove with 'er, I don't need to be told.' She came to a stop and although glaring at him she seemed rather at a loss. 'Yes'm,' he said respectful. 'An' they're in league with the tradesmen, the I. R. A. merchants, the whole lot are,' she went on a bit wild. 'You mark my words,' she finished and closed anguished eyes. There was a pause. Then he asked a question with such a glance of malice as must have frightened her if she had caught it. 'What's a I. R. A. man auntie?' he enquired. 'Thieves and murderers,' she said half under her breath as though her thoughts were elsewhere. 'Blimey,' he said. If she had looked she would have seen he mocked. 'Makin' out she's too good to have anything to do with us,' Mrs Welch began again. She opened her eyes. 'Sayin' she won't take you along of Miss Moira and Miss Evelyn.' Mrs Welch heaved herself back to the table, propping her head on the palms of her hands. 'The lousy bitch,' she said soft, 'runnin' in double 'arness with that Raunce into the bargain. Oh,' she suddenly yelled, 'if I catch you I'll tan the 'ide right off of you d'you understand?' Out in the scullery Jane and Mary nodded at one another, at the rise and fall of this thick voice. 'Tan the 'ide off me what for?' the lad asked. 'What for you bastard imp?' she shouted and lumbering while still on her seat she made a slow grab which he easily dodged. 'I ain't done nothing,' he pretended to whine. 'Ah they're in a society with them tradesmen,' she cried out. 'Don't I know it. Why only the other day Jane was got be'ind the monument by one. I made out I never noticed when she told me,' Mrs Welch explained lowering her voice, 'but I marked it well. And I shan't forget,' she added although she seemed short of breath, 'I weren't born yesterday,' she said. 'Can I 'ave my tea'm?' he requested. 'Can you 'ave your tea?' she replied with scorn and made no move. 'Yes,' she went on dark, 'I've watched their thievin'. Raunce an' that Edith. Not to mention Kate with what she gets up to.... As I've witnessed times without number from me larder windows. So don't you never 'ave nothin' to do with any one of 'em see. 'Ave you got that straight?' she asked hoarse, glaring right through him. Without waiting for an answer she called out, 'Jane, Master Albert's tea.' She was perfectly serious. 'And may your ladyship's heart be asy on her to get back to the Castle,' Michael said from the driver's seat as obviously excited, grinning in his idiot way, he at once drove off to the stables leaving Mrs Tennant dumped down in front of her own front door surrounded by the luggage. 'Michael,' she called after him to a wisp of blue smoke. Then she reached for the latch which was a bullock's horn bound in bronze. But these great portals were barred. She gave the ordinary bell a vicious jab. 'What's this Arthur I mean Raunce?' she asked when Charley opened. 'I am very sorry I'm sure Madam. I had no idea the boat would be punctual. I was just putting on my coat to come to look out for you Madam.' 'But why the locked door?' she asked as she entered. 'We had an unwelcome visitor Madam,' he replied, a suitcase already in each hand. 'What do you mean Raunce? Really do try and talk sense. Such a trying journey which it always is now one can't fly and then this.' Charley's Albert came hurrying for the other bags. Mrs Tennant