Loving - Henry Green [7]
wouldn't have wanted him there would we?' she said. Miss Burch seemed pleased. 'And now he's moved down to Eldon's room and wants his morning tea brought him?' Mrs Tennant went on. 'Yes well thanks very much for telling me. I suppose one of the girls used to carry Eldon his cup first thing?' 'Yes Madam but that was different.' 'I know Agatha but I fancy that's the difficulty you see.' 'Very good Madam,' Miss Burch said grim. 'Oh yes and I forgot, where is the man,' and she called for Raunce. There was no reply. 'He must have gone.' She rang the bell. 'I meant to tell you both,' she continued, 'it's about Mrs Welch. Her nephew is coming over to-morrow. Not for long mind, just a few weeks. He's old enough to look after himself. She'll do everything for the little chap.' Miss Burch did not look delighted but she said, 'Yes Madam.' 'He's a dear boy I believe and it will be nice for the children to have someone to play with. His name is Albert. Why what a coincidence. Yes Albert what is it?' 'You rang, Madam.' 'Oh it's of no consequence it was Raunce I wanted. That's all thank you. There's nothing else I think. I will see Raunce some other time. I've simply got to rush out now to Michael.' The morning was almost over and that afternoon, as Raunce was in his new armchair putting his feet up to study those two notebooks Edith, upstairs in the attic she shared with Kate and half undressed, was filling into a jam jar those eggs she had been carrying in Mrs Tennant's glove and which she intended to preserve with waterglass. 'You're surely not ever goin' to put that dirtiness on your face and neck sometime Edie?' 'I am that. It's good.' 'But not peacocks. Edie for land's sake.' 'Peacocks is no use. They only screech.' 'I can't make you out at all.' Edith explained. 'Their eggs've got to be lifted when there's not a soul to witness, you understand, an' they must be peacocks. I wouldn't know for why. But you just ask anyone. They are the valuables! birds, the rarest.' 'And what if you come out in the spots like they have stuck on their tails?' Edie turned at this to face Kate and put a hand along her cheek. She was naked to the waist. In that light from the window overgrown with ivy her detached skin shone like the flower of white lilac under leaves. 'Oh dear,' she said. 'And who's it for?' Kate went on. 'Patrick?' and in one movement she jumped on her bed, lay back. But at the mention of a name and as though they had entered on a conspiracy Edith blocked even more light from that window by climbing on the sill. The sky drew a line of white round her mass of dark hair falling to shoulders which paled to blue lilac. She laughed in her throat. As they settled down Kate said: 'So Mrs Welch is to have her sister's little boy to visit. Albert his name is.' Edith made no reply. 'That'll be more for us that will,' Kate added. 'He'll do his own work. He's old enough,' Edith said. 'And it'll be a change for the children,' she went on referring to Mrs Jack's girls. 'They don't get much out of forever playing on their own the sweet lambs.' 'I wish I was back 'ome the age they are Edie.' 'Hard work never done a girl any harm.' 'But doesn't Miss Burch keep us two girls at it dear. Oh my poor feet.' 'Take your stockings off Katie and I'll rub 'em for you.' 'Not in that old egg you won't.' Edith jumped down off the sill. She took up a towel which she laid under Kate's feet. She turned back to the washbasin to wet her hands in cold water. Then leaning over Kate who had closed her eyes she began to stroke and knead the hot feet. Her hair fell forward. She was smiling as she ministered, all her bare skin above Kate's body stretched white as spring again. 'Clean your teeth before you have to do with a woman,' Edith said, 'what talk is that?' 'Have you gone out of your mind then?' Kate asked, murmuring. 'But whoever said?' 'Mr Raunce.' 'So it's Mr to you? I shan't ever. I couldn't, not after he's been Charley all this time. Oh honey is that easing my arches.' 'It's only right now he's got the position,' Edith said. 'I wish I had your ankles dear I do.'