Loving - Henry Green [92]
shan't hand it in mate that's all. We'll flit.' 'Oh but Charley that would be wrong,' she said in a low voice. 'Right or wrong it's what we'll do. We could get Kate to come along if you was to feel awkward.' 'Awkward?' she asked. 'How d'you mean?' 'Well,' he replied shyly. 'We can't get married before we've put the banns up a full three weeks on the other side. I was just askin' myself if you'd feel it was right our travelling without we were man and wife.' She laughed. 'D'you reckon I can't protect myself from you after all this time?' she enquired gentle. 'I know you can right enough,' he replied, 'but I couldn't tell the way you'd see it.' She did not answer this. She said, 'Kate would never come with us, not now.' 'How's that Edie?' 'On account of her Paddy.' 'Go on with that for a tale.' 'I thought you knew dear,' she said. 'Well I did in a manner of speaking but not to place any reliance on it.' 'It's true right enough. She says he needs 'er.' 'Then all I can say is that's disgusting, downright disgusting.' 'Dithtrething and dithtathteful?' she asked. 'No mate it's no joking matter. Why a big, grown girl like her an' that ape out of a Zoo.' 'There's the way things are Charley.' 'But how did this come about?' 'She was lonely,' Edith explained, 'an' she watched us.' 'Ere,' he said, 'don't go layin' Paddy at my door. Why it's unnatural.' 'Well she's made her bed an' she needs must lie on it.' 'All the more reason then for us to get quick out of here,' was his comment. 'And not say goodbye to a soul?' she now asked in an excited voice. 'Not to anyone,' he replied narrowly watching her. 'Oh I couldn't,' she cried as though all at once she had despaired. 'I must tell Miss Evelyn and Miss Moira.' 'That's been the cause of half the trouble in this place. Once they get hold of something it's taken right out of control.' 'But it wouldn't be right. Why they're innocent.' 'Ow d'you mean innocent?' he enquired. There's a lot we could lay to their door.' 'They're not grown up,' she explained. They've got their lives to live yet. They mightn't understand if I was to go off without a word.' 'They'll forget soon enough dearest,' he said. 'No Charley,' she insisted and appeared distressed, 'you don't know. It would be wicked that's all. D'you mean to say we've not got to say one word?' 'That's right mate.' 'But what about Miss Burch? How will she take it? Can you tell me? Or Miss Swift who's trusted me with the young ladies?' He put his arms about her. He held her close. 'Look my own love,' he said, 'it's like this. Once we let it get about that we're goin' then they'll all of them begin to talk. Mrs Tennant will pay a call on Mrs Welch who will send for old Agatha out of her bed. Miss Swift'11 'ave 'ysterics an' the Captain will receive a phone call from Mrs Jack to stop you an' me on the boat. Michael will be threatened with the sack. They'll even tell the garage in Kinalty they mustn't hire to us.' He could feel her trembling. 'But Charley dear,' she protested, 'this is a free country surely to goodness?' 'It's priest-ridden love,' he replied. 'But Mrs Tennant's got no right to stop someones, not if we give her a month's wages.' 'A month's wages my eye. That's a fine way to start bein' married, to throw good money down the drain.' 'All right then Charley. You know best I expect.' 'No,' he went on, 'it's on account of that ring. She's got her suspicions you see love. She let Albert find his way but with us she'd raise holy Cain, making out I was carryin' you off.' 'But that's what you are doin' surely dear,' Edith announced. She settled deeper in his arms. 'It's you cartin' me off body and soul more likely,' he answered. He fastened on to her mouth. His face was very white and green and grey. When he lifted his lips from hers he asked, 'Then you will to-morrow, without a word said to anyone?' 'I expect so,' she replied. 'You don't sound very certain,' he remarked. 'Oh I will, I will,' she cried very loud and wildly kissed him. 'You could tell Kate if you wished,' he said when he had a chance. 'I'll not say a word to a soul,' she promised.