The Empire Trilogy - J. G. Farrell [51]
“Steady the Buffs!”
“Oh, it’s you. I just thought I’d come down here for a while. All those morbid old ladies, you know.”
“Just called to say goodbye. I’ve got to go back to England to see a relation who’s been taken ill.”
“Oh, I see,” nodded Ripon, putting on his jacket and for some reason patting his pockets anxiously. “I don’t blame you, really. It’s awful here, isn’t it? I’m thinking of trying to get out myself while the going’s good before the bloody ship sinks, so to speak. Matter of fact I’m glad you came because I’ve been wanting a word with you.”
For the second time in less than ten minutes the Major considered defending the innocence of his motives for leaving, but thought better of it.
“Well, I haven’t got much time. In fact, I haven’t got any time at all. You see, I missed the train from here and I’ve got to get myself over to Valebridge before, let me see...” He looked at his watch.
“You’ve heard the news, of course,” stated Ripon, ignoring the Major’s remarks. “It’s all over town, I expect.”
“Heard what news?” demanded the Major anxiously.
“About me and Máire Noonan. I’m sure that little bitch Sarah will have told you.”
“Yes, I did hear something. But look here, Ripon, you mustn’t go around calling girls bitches like that...I mean, really! Besides, she’s a cripple, more or less, and if you had her disability...”
“I suppose you know Máire’s a fish-eater...an R.C.?”
“Yes.”
“So there’s going to be an unholy row sooner or later. Or maybe I should say a holy row. And just at the moment it’s not such a good time, you know, what with poor old Angela and so on...But old man Noonan has been putting on the pressure, d’you see, and something’s got to be done.” Ripon paused and jabbed the knife violently into the oak panelling. “Can you lend me a couple of fivers, by the way?”
“No.”
“Just one fiver would be a help.”
“No.”
“It doesn’t really matter, of course, if you’re short.”
“Why has Mr Noonan been putting on the pressure?”
“It’s this R.C. business. He thinks that maybe I’m not going to...Well, what it all boils down to is that he wants me to make it public and the main thing is...”
“To tell your father?”
Ripon nodded gloomily.
“Well, I’m sure it will all turn out all right. After all, the Noonans are rather wealthy from what I hear. I don’t see why Edward would have any real objection once he knows you’re serious.”
“It’s this stupid religious business, Major. The point is, you see, that I’ve been trotting along to see the old priest for what they call ‘instruction’ (they’re frightful sticklers for the rules). Not my idea, I can assure you. Old man Noonan insisted on it. It’s a lot of rot, really. I mean, frankly it doesn’t make an awful lot of difference to me where we’re married, couldn’t care less about that sort of thing. The snag is that Himself is going to get into a fearful wax when he hears about it...and to tell the truth, I don’t quite know what to do.” He paused, avoiding the Major’s eye. “Fact is, I was rather hoping you might do something to help me...tip the wink to Himself and so forth.”
“Oh really! That’s out of the question, Ripon. Look here, I’m in a dreadful hurry at the moment and I simply can’t afford to miss this train (this business with my aunt is perfectly genuine, I can assure you). If you want me to give you advice I’d be glad to help you in any way I can; in fact, I’ll give you my card and you can put it all down in black and white.”
Ripon took the Major’s card and looked at it without optimism.
“If you spoke to Father he might not take it so hard, you know. If you pointed out that it’s not the end of the world and so forth. I know he respects you. I’m afraid he won’t listen if I tell him.”
“I’m sorry, but it’s out of the question,” repeated the Major, becoming agitated. “It won’t do at all if I miss this train, as I’m sure to do if I stand here talking any longer. And so, well, I just wanted to say goodbye...I’m sure everything will