Under The Net - Iris Murdoch [34]
as a flash he put a glass of whisky into my free hand. You can imagine what a fool I felt, with the whisky in one hand and my belt in the other. When I had reorganized myself, I said, hoping that I didn't sound sheepish, 'I suppose you're Starfield?' I felt thoroughly at a loss. I suspected that it ought to be up to me whether we fought or not. I certainly didn't want to fight, but I had let Sammy get the initiative now, and no mistake, and I hated that too. 'That's me,' said Sammy, 'and you're young Donaghue. Well, what a fire-eater!' and he went off into another explosion of laughter. I took a gulp of the whisky and put on my belt, endeavouring to wear the expression of one who, contrary to appearances, is master of the situation. The films provide one with useful conventions of this kind. I looked Sammy up and down with deliberation. He was rather a handsome creature in the style already indicated. There was a crude power in him, and I set myself to see the Sammy whom Madge saw. It wasn't difficult. He had humorous triangular blue eyes, which noticed my scrutiny with amusement and returned it with mock seriousness. 'You're quite a young fellow!' said Sammy. 'You know, I could never get much out of Madge about you.' He refilled my glass. 'I expect you're fed up about being fired out,' he added in a completely unprovocative tone. 'Look here, Starfield,' I said, 'there are some things a gentleman can't discuss coolly. If you want to fight, good. If not, shut up. I've come here to fetch some of my things, not to chat with you.' I was pleased not to be feeling afraid of him, and I hoped he was aware of it, but I knew that my speech would have sounded better if I hadn't been drinking the man's whisky. It also occurred to me at that moment that Sammy might dispute my ownership of the radiogram. You're a touchy fellow,' said Sammy. 'Don't be in such a hurry. I want to look at you. It's not every day I meet a writer chap who talks on the radio.' I suspected he was mocking, but the mere thought that Sammy might find me a romantic figure amused me so much that I laughed, and Sammy laughed too in sympathy. He seemed to want me to like him. I was drinking my second glass of whisky and beginning to think that perhaps after all Sammy was rather a peach. 'Where did you meet Madge?' I asked. I wasn't going to let him make all the running. 'Where did she tell you I met her?' Sammy countered. 'On a number eleven bus.' Sammy let out his roar. 'Not likely!' he said. 'Catch me riding on a bus! No, we met at a party some film people were giving.' I raised my eyebrows. 'Yes, boy, she was just beginning to get around.' Sammy wagged his finger at me. 'Never let them out of your sight, that's the only way!' This mixture of triumph and solicitude nauseated me. 'Magdalen is a free agent,' I said coldly. 'Not any more she isn't!' said Sammy. I looked at him with sudden loathing. 'Look here,' I said, 'are you really going to marry Madge?' Sammy took this as an expression of friendly incredulity from a well-wisher. 'Why not?' he said. 'Isn't she a beautiful girl? Isn't she a turn up for the book? She hasn't got a wooden leg, has she?' and he dug me in the ribs so violently that the whisky splashed on to the carpet. 'I don't mean that,' I said. 'I mean do you intend to marry her?' 'Oh, you're asking about my intentions,' said Sammy. 'That's a body blow! You ought to have brought your shotgun!' He roared with laughter again. 'Here,' he said, 'let's finish the bottle.' By now I had just sufficient whisky in me not to care much one way or the other. 'It's your affair,' I said. 'It is. Believe you me,' said Sammy, and we left it at that. Sammy now began to rummage in his pockets. 'There's something I'd like to give you, young fellow,' he said. I watched suspiciously. He produced his cheque-book with an ostentatious flourish and opened his fountain pen. 'Well, now,' he said, 'shall we say a hundred pounds, shall we say two hundred?' I was open-mouthed. 'Whatever for?' I asked. 'Well, let's say for removal expenses,' said Sammy, and winked. For a moment I