Loving - Henry Green [80]
as she began to stroke her again. 'He's in a terrible state about them eggs.' 'What eggs?' 'Why the eggs you put away under waterglass in this very room,' Kate answered. 'But that was months ago. However did he come to learn?' 'It was young Albert again who else? I promise I never told 'im Dothin'. I wouldn't do such a thing. And then in addition Mr Raunce went and informed about that peacock Mrs Welch had in the larder. Oh Edie 'e got in such a state. I was frighted.' 'I'll speak of this to Charley,' Edith said grim. 'It's as you like,' Kate replied, 'but 'e worships the birds, there you are love, he fair worships 'em. There's nothing I can do. And what he's just learned has made 'im act so strange. I don't know what to think, honest I don't.' 'Then what does he say he'll do?' Edith enquired. 'Why 'e talks as if 'e was goin' to lock 'em up and never let the things out any more. Can you tell me how Mrs Tennant'll see that?' 'I'd forgotten all about those old eggs,' Edith said. Then she added in a wondering voice, 'I suppose it was me knowin' I had no more use for 'em.' 'What d'you mean no more use? You used to reckon they'd still be good for your skin even if they had been stood in that stuff.' 'Yes,' Edith said, 'it's not that I've no need any more for my face which'll still come in handy I don't doubt. But the fact is now Raunce an' me's come to an understanding I got no time for charms.' 'I shouldn't wonder if he didn't find time for yours even if you shouldn't,' Kate remarked archly. Edith blushed. 'Look,' Kate cried and seemed far more cheery, 'you're blushin'.' 'It's not that kind you mention,' Edith said. 'I meant like crossing a gipsy's palm with silver at the fair. A charm to make you seem different,' she explained. 'Would they do the same for me d'you suppose?' 'I don't know Kate seein' I've never tried.' 'But if 'e came upon it Edie 'e'd strangle me.' 'Like little Albert did to one of his peacocks?' Edith was smiling. 'You don't know 'im Edie, there's no one could tell what action 'e'd take.' 'Why should he ever learn?' Edith asked. 'There's not much is kept mum in this house love.' 'O. K. then. But it's only the children after all, Kate, as we've found since little Albert came. They'll never discover. I shan't tell.' 'But d'you think it's real what you believed about the things?' 'There's this to it Kate. He loves the birds, you've just said so. If you used their eggs and he was ignorant then it might do something to him.' 'Just imagine me smarming that muck over my face and chest to please. What we girls do have to put up with.' 'Go on,' Edith said, 'that's nothing,' Both began to giggle. Edith put the heel of her hand up to cover her mouth. 'For land's sake,' she cried. 'And when they come at you...' Kate began then stopped. She started laughing helplessly all of a sudden. Edith joined in. Within a minute they were exchanging breathless and indistinct accounts of the antics men get up to, in between shrieks of giggling. Later that afternoon came over dark with a storm outside. Edith had filled a polished copper jug and was hurrying down the Long Passage to lay the hot water in Mrs Jack's washbasin when she saw something move in an open doorway into the dressing room next door. She stopped dead, raised her free hand to her heart. But it was Raunce. 'You Charley,' she said low when she saw him, 'why I nearly spilled it.' 'Sorry ducks,' he answered, whispering also, 'I was only puttin' out his things.' 'Whatever for?' she asked. 'You don't do that so early do you?' 'Well if you're speaking of the hour I'll wager this hot water you're carryin' will go cold before she comes to use it.' 'There's a cover I put over the jug stupid,' she replied. 'Are you goin' to tell me you didn't know that after all the years you've been here?' 'I don't like to let you out of my sight.' 'Why Charley,' she said warm, 'you don't mean to say you've got him on your mind again?' 'Well it's not right when he might come across you in his own bedroom.' 'Have you ever heard?' she muttered in a delighted voice and went inside Mrs Jack's room.