The Bell - Iris Murdoch [67]
'Of course I don't respect you,' said Paul. 'Have I any reason to? I'm in love with you, unfortunately, that's all.'
'Well, it's unfortunate for me too,' said Dora, starting to cry.
'Oh, stop it!' said Paul, 'Stop it!'
Catherine had reached the other side of the lake and walked along under the Abbey wall. She passed the first door into the parlours, and went in by the door that led into the visitors' chapel. It seemed to Dora afterwards that she closed it behind her with a bang.
CHAPTER 10
Toby pushed open the door of the Lodge. There was ample time after the Service and before lunch to have a swim. When he had opened the door and stepped half inside he paused, as he always did, wondering where Nick Fawley was. Murphy came forward wagging his tail and jumped up rather lazily, presenting his two forelegs to the boy to hold. Toby held him for a moment, nuzzling down onto the soft warm head, and then straightened up. No sign of Nick. He was probably out. With a feeling of relief Toby bounded noisily up the stairs and got his bathing trunks. Admonished by James he had got some cheaply in the village. He took his towel, which was rather grimy and rebarbative by now with the mud of frequent swims, but still serving.
As he emerged onto the landing he heard Nick's voice calling him from the next room. He went to the door and looked in. Nick was in bed. This was not unusual; he ought to have thought that Nick might be in bed.
'Who was spouting?' said Nick. He was propped up on his pillows and had been reading a detective story.
'James was,' said Toby. He was impatient to be away.
'Any good?' said Nick.
'Yes, jolly good,' said Toby. He felt embarrassed talking about this to Nick.
'What was it about?' said Nick.
'Oh, innocence and all that,' said Toby.
Nick, still in pyjamas, his plump face puffed out on the pillows, the long greasy wig of his hair descending on either side, suddenly looked to Toby like the Wolf pretending to be Grandmamma in the story. He smiled at the thought and felt less embarrassed.
‘I’ll give you a sermon one day,' said Nick. 'They haven't asked me to spout, so I'll give you a private one.'
Toby could think of nothing to say to this. He wondered how to take his leave, and said 'Shall I take Murphy swimming with me?'
'If Murphy wants to come,' said Nick, 'he'll come even if you don't want him, and if he doesn't want to come he won't even if you do.'
This was true enough. Toby said 'Ah, well,' and rather ponderously raised his hand in a vague salute. Nick continued to stare at him till he turned and departed. It could not be said to have been a successful conversation.
Released, Toby ran quickly downstairs and out across the grass, calling to Murphy who seemed only too eager to come. Toby had with him his underwater swimming gear, the mask and the breathing tube, which he hoped he might find some chance to use somewhere in the lake. The river pools where he had swum so far, though deliciously clear, were rather shallow. Today Toby thought he would go toward the farther end of the lake, beyond the Abbey, where he had not yet explored. From the causeway he had seen in the distance what looked like a gravelly beach, on the Court side of the lake. Round about there the water might be clearer. He derided' he would make a reconnaissance before lunch and come back again for longer later on. He had been saving up this expedition. He did not want to exhaust the mysteries of Imber too quickly.
He crossed in the ferry. Murphy elected on this occasion to ride in the boat, walking around boldly in the bottom of it, and making it rock by planting his paws on the edge. On reaching the other side Toby began to run across the open grass by the Court, and passing the end of the causeway, took the lakeside path towards the wood. He was longing to be in the water and didn't want to be delayed by meeting anyone. As he neared the wood he saw Dr and Mrs Greenfield. They seemed to be disputing about something, and when they saw him they turned away along the path that led inland toward the