The Bell - Iris Murdoch [71]
As he trod water, quietly inhaling, he heard across the Abbey grounds the hand bell ringing the Angelus. That meant that he ought to go almost at once if he didn't want to have to run all the way back. He determined to dive just once more and try to dig the thing out. He dived, and found it at once this time, and began to shovel away the ooze from all round it, holding onto the massive rim with one hand. The upper half of it seemed to emerge quite easily from the mud. The rim to which he had attached himself was the widest part, and now he could feel more of the arc he reckoned it must be several feet across. It appeared to be circular, the lower part of the circle being still submerged. Within the rim it seemed to be hollow, becoming narrower. It occurred to Toby that it might possibly be a large bell. By this tune he was breathless again and had to let go.
He swam in to the ramp and rested for a moment. The investigation had been quite strenuous. He reached a dripping hand up to his clothes and fished his wrist watch out of his trousers pocket. Heavens, it was late! He scrambled quickly out of the water, dried himself summarily, and began to dress. It had been a splendid expedition; he would certainly come back again soon. It would be fun to explore that thing down in the water, though it probably wasn't really anything very exciting. Meanwhile, he resolved he would say nothing to the others about this delightful place but keep it privately for himself.
CHAPTER 11
It was James Tayper Pace who suggested to Michael that he should take Toby with him in the Land-Rover. Michael was going in to Swindon to buy the mechanical cultivator. Though several days had elapsed since the Meeting, and Michael was longing for his toy, he had not had time to make the journey. Now it was Wednesday, and he was determined to go, come what might, in the late afternoon. The shop would be shut by the time he arrived, but he had made his arrangements by telephone and the shop people, with whom he had already done a lot of business, said he might pick the thing up any time before seven.
'Why not take young Toby with you?' said James. They were leaving the estate office together. 'It'll just mean his knocking off half an hour early. Let him see a bit of the countryside. He's been working like a black.'
This would not have occurred to Michael; but it seemed a splendid idea, and when he was nearly ready to go he went to look for Toby in the kitchen garden.
He found him, with Patchway, hoeing the brussels sprouts.
'Don't be so careful wi’ ’em,' Patchway was saying. 'Knock ’em around! Does them good.'
Toby straightened up to greet Michael. The boy was well bronzed now and oily with sweat. Patchway, stripped to the waist, was still wearing his redoubtable trilby.
'I was wondering if Toby would care to come with me into Swindon, just for the ride,' said Michael to Patchway, 'if you can spare him.'
Patchway grunted and looked at Toby, who said, I'd love to, if that's all right!'
'Pigeons haven't troubled us so far, have they?' said Michael to Patchway.
'Why should they?' said Patchway. 'Little buggers have plenty else to eat. But you watch ’em when the cold weather starts!'
Toby ran off to