The Bell - Iris Murdoch [120]
Dora had never visited Michael's office, but she knew roughly where it was. When she found the door she knocked and bounded in without further ceremony. Her entry was so rapid that she had time to witness a little of the previous scene before its participants realized it had come to an end. Michael was sitting in a chair, leaning well forward, his elbows on his knees, his two hands extended. Toby was sitting on the floor just in front of him, one leg curled under, the other crooked up at the knee. One hand clasped his raised leg while the other was in process of making some gesture in Michael's direction. As Dora entered they both scrambled hastily to their feet.
'Oh hello, Toby,' said Dora, 'that's where you are, is it. I'm terribly sorry to bother you, Michael, but something awful has happened.'
Michael looked appalled. 'What?' he said.
'Someone I used to know has turned up, a journalist, to write about the bell. But when Paul finds out he's here he'll tear the place up. You must go and tell him not to.' This seemed to state the case.
Michael looked relieved. Then he looked at Toby. Toby mumbled something about 'Better be off now'. Dora began to say something to him but he went off without looking at her. Michael made to follow him, got as far as the door, and then came back looking confused and distracted. Dora was firm. Generalship was beginning to come to her. She said to Michael, Do you understand?'
'Yes, no,' said Michael. 'This man, this reporter is here now and you think Paul will make a jealous scene? Can't you persuade him to go?'
'He won't go,' said Dora, 'and it's no use your telling him to. What I want you to do is to prevent Paul from exploding. I'm going to tell Paul about it straight away.' She turned and set off again at a run. She could hear Michael's footsteps following her. They clattered down the uncarpeted stairs and out through the hall.
On the terrace, Noel was talking to Mrs Mark. They stopped to stare at the spectacle of Michael and Dora.
Noel said, 'Everyone seems to be in a terrible hurry today.'
Mrs Mark said, 'Oh Michael, don't go away, the Bishop will be here any moment!'
Michael who was down on the grass by now, ran back to reassure Mrs Mark. Dora kept on in the direction of the causeway. By the time she had reached the middle of the causeway and was almost out of breath she saw Paul emerge from the end door of the parlours. She started to wave to him frantically. As she neared the end of the causeway she saw a dark Rolls Royce coming slowly down the avenue from the Lodge gates.
Dora rushed up to Paul, who had quickened his pace when he saw her waving. She could see his frown from a long way off. 'Noel is here!' she cried.
'Who?' said Paul.
'Noel Spens,' said Dora. 'You know.'
Paul was tense and cool. 'You say,' he said, 'that Noel Spens is here. You yell this at me as if it were good news. He came to see you?'
'He came to report the bell business,' said Dora. 'Paul darling, don't get into a rage!'
'He came to see you,' said Paul. 'You invited him?'
'Of course I didn't invite him!' shouted Dora. 'Do you think I'm mad? He just came to interview people for his paper.'
'Well, I'm going to interview him,' said Paul. 'I'm going to give him an interview he won't forget!' He began to walk quickly across the causeway.
Dora followed, still talking and trying to hold onto his arm. The causeway was not quite wide enough for two people to walk side by side when disputing. The Bishop's car could now be seen in the distance crossing the bridges at the far end of the lake. Paul began to run.
At the end of the causeway Dora, who had been outdistanced, made a spurt and caught him up. As she did so she could see Michael running towards them down