Loving - Henry Green [72]
visit and that the young gentleman was in good health as well as in good spirits in spite of this terrible war,' Mrs Welch said. 'You are a dear, Mrs Welch,' Mrs T. replied. 'D'you know you're the first person has greeted me since I got back as though they had ever seen me before, not counting Michael. I don't count him. You can't believe these Irishmen can you?' Mrs Welch let out a deep, cavernous chuckle. She behaved like an established favourite. 'Gawd save us from 'em, they're foreigners after all,' she announced. 'What's more I won't allow my girls to have nothing to do with 'em,' she announced, beginning to grow mysterious. 'I'm sure you're right,' Mrs Tennant agreed brightly. 'Now it's strange your mentioning that mum but I had an example only the other day,' Mrs Welch went on fast. 'I happened to be stood by the larder windows when I 'ad a terrible stench of drains very sudden. Quite took my breath away. Just like those Irish I said to myself as I stood there, never to clean a thing out.' 'You don't imagine...?' Mrs Tennant began to ask. She sat down on a kitchen chair. 'A terrible stench of drains,' Mrs Welch repeated. 'And me that had thought we were goin' to have them all up while you was away with Mrs Jack.' 'The drains?' Mrs Tennant echoed. 'That's what was said,' Mrs Welch insisted. 'Who said? I never gave orders.' 'No mum I'd be the last to say you did seein' you knew nothing. Only when that lovely cluster ring you had was lost, an' what a terrible thing to 'appen, there was one or two did mention that takin' 'em up was the only thing.' 'Down the drain?' Mrs Tennant cried. 'How fantastic.' 'Ah I could've told them they'd never get away with that,' Mrs Welch rejoined as though triumphant. Tantastic's the word beggin' your pardon. Down the plumbin' indeed when it was all the time right where I'll be bound it is this moment if it's not already been come upon.' 'No,' Mrs Tennant said guarded, 'there's no trace.' 'Ah there you are,' Mrs Welch replied profound. 'Now Mrs Welch I don't think we shall get anywhere like this,' Mrs Tennant gently expostulated. 'Just as you please mum,' the cook answered calm. 'And what would you fancy for your luncheon?' 'That is to say what I really came for was to ask your advice,' Mrs Tennant countered, looking again to make sure the kitchen door was shut. 'I shouldn't think twice about the stench of drains,' Mrs Welch put in, 'that was likely nothin' really. Probably the way the wind lay or something.' 'I haven't had you with me all these years without getting to know when I'm to take you seriously,' Mrs Tennant replied. 'No it's about Albert.' 'Albert?' Mrs Welch echoed with a set look on her face. "Ave they been on to you about Albert?' 'Well you know he's admitted it.' 'Admitted what I'd like to be told?' cried Mrs Welch. 'Why he did to me only a quarter of an hour ago.' 'What about?' Mrs Welch asked grim. 'Well what we've been discussing, my sapphire cluster ring,' Mrs Tennant answered. 'Your lovely sapphire cluster,' Mrs Welch echoed anguished. 'Why the lyin' lot of... no I won't say it, that would be too good for 'em.' 'D'you think the others have had a part in this then?' 'I don't think. I know mum,' Mrs Welch announced. 'But they would hardly have told him what to say to incriminate himself?' 'Criminal?' Mrs Welch replied, her voice rising. That's just it mum. For this is what those two are, that Raunce and his Edith. I don't say nothin' about their being lain all day in each other's arms, and the best part of the night too very likely though I can't speak to the night time, I must take my rest on guard and watch as I am while it's light outside, lain right in each other's arms,' she resumed, 'the almighty lovers they make out they are but no more than fornicators when all's said and done if you'll excuse the expression, where was I? Yes. "Love" this an' "dear" that, so they go on day and night yet they're no better than a pair of thieves mum, mis-appropriatin' your goods behind your back.' 'Mrs Welch,' Mrs T. protested rising to her feet with a deep look of distaste. 'I